De Oude Kerk, or the Old Church, is the oldest church in Amsterdam. Established in the 13th Century, the church started off as a small, wooden structure over a sandy burial ground, and transformed into a Gothic style basilica which now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Unlike many other historic churches of Amsterdam, De Oude Kerk is also located in the infamous red light district. De Oude Kerk is one of Amsterdam's top attractions. With an illustrious history and splendid exhibitions on display, De Oude Kerk draws huge crowds. Tourists usually visit De Oude Kerk for its architectural design, organ recitals and concerts, gravestones of distinguished personalities and important statues.