Amsterdam, the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, has a long and interesting history. Today, it is still possible to see bits and pieces of that legendary past as we walk through the metropolis, especially if we pass close to the Montelbaans Tower. This is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city, and here we are going to discover it.
Centuries ago, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was just being formed, the inhabitants of the region realized that, if they wished to prosper, they had to take advantage of their peculiar geographical position.
Almost all of the Dutch territory is below sea level, however this was a huge advantage as it turned the cities into some of the busiest ports in Europe.
This caused trade to grow tremendously, as well as navigation and the export of goods. Because of this, Amsterdam prospered, although it also had to prepare to face enemy attacks, who wanted to control the trade routes.
One of the city’s defense plans was the construction of an extensive wall. These walls were known as the Walls of Amsterdam, and completely surrounded the metropolis. Of course, these walls must have guard posts, and one of them was the Montelbaans Tower.
Designed during the Middle Ages, the original Montelbaans Tower was a simple red brick building, whose purpose was purely defensive and needed no decorative details. This changed in the 17th century, when the building was renovated.
At that time, other floors were added, made following a Renaissance architecture style. In addition, a clock and needle were installed, making the Montelbaans Tower stand out on the urban horizon. To this day, both the upper floors and the clock and needle are preserved.
However, the Montelbaans Tower clock is also the protagonist of its own story, since it is said that it never gave the time correctly, and the citizens of Amsterdam did not trust the chimes of the tower when they announced the passing of the hours. This mistake was so common that Montelbaans earned the nickname “malle Jaap”, which is Dutch for “fool Jaap”.
Beyond this curious anecdote, it is impossible to deny that the Montelbaans Tower is one of the most beloved buildings in Amsterdam, and boat trips through the city’s canals usually dedicate a moment to this old lookout post, which has seen the passing Hundreds and hundreds of years of Dutch history.
Although it may seem incredible, this tower does not function as a museum or as a cultural center, instead, it is the headquarters of several public offices. Being an administrative building, visits to the interior of the Montelbaans Tower are rare.
However, this is located in a very busy area of Amsterdam, where pedestrians, cyclists, cars and boats pass by, so you will surely see it up close as you tour the Dutch capital.
Finally, keep in mind that in the surroundings of the Montelbaans Tower you will find more points of interest, such as nice restaurants, cute souvenir shops and even several floating cafes. If you want to live an experience in the historical heart of Amsterdam, this will be your ideal option.
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