Saturday 18 April 2009

The Netherlands trip, Apr 2008 - Westerkerk Toren (The tower of the Western Church), Amsterdam

The Westerkerk ("Western church") is a Protestant church in Amsterdam. It was built in the period between 1620 and 1621.

If you look carefully at the above photo, you can see a crown at the tip of the tower's spire. The story goes like this: At one point in15th Century, Amsterdam loaned large amounts of money to to Emperor Maximilian of Austria (Holy Roman Empire) who in return gave the city his protection and the right to include his crown in its coat of arms. Sounds like a good deal?

Anyway, for just €6, you can climb the tower of the church and enjoy a guided tour of the church carillons.


The church bells were made by the brothers Pieter and François Hemony. These bells are the ones that were heard by Anne Frank during her time in hiding at a nearby house.


The brothers were considered as the greatest carillon bell founders in the history of the Low Countries.


Their' skill was unequalled in their time and they have guarded their trade secret really well. It was not until the 19th Century were bells of comparable tuning quality casted.



The church is right next to Amsterdam's Jordaan district, at the bank of the Prinsengracht canal. Being the tallest church tower (85m) in Amsterdam, the tower also offers good view of the beautiful city and its canals.






The Coat of arms of Amsterdam topped with the crown of Maximilian of Austria. The three crosses are Saint Andrew's Crosses.


An artist shot of the arch of the tourist entrance


For more information:

Website of Westerkerk
http://www.westerkerk.nl/index.php?page=welkom-en

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