Description of the attraction
At the beginning of the 16th century, the industrial district of Amsterdam's Lastage, which included the city's shipyards, was located outside the fortress walls of the medieval city. But after the attack on Lastazh in 1512, Geldern's troops raised the question of expanding the city and building new fortifications. So, in 1515-1518, a new canal was dug, which eventually received the name "Audeshans", which was connected to the Amstel River and along which new fortress walls were erected, of which the Montelbanstoren tower became a part - one of the most famous sights of modern Amsterdam, and also an important historical and architectural monument.
The Montelbanstoren Tower was built around 1516, and by the end of the 16th century, the developing city began to expand again, and the tower ceased to fulfill its original defensive function. In 1606, the original building, which is an octagonal brick structure, was adorned with an elegant Renaissance wooden structure with a clock and a bell tower, erected by the famous Dutch architect and sculptor Hendrik de Keyser (after reconstruction, the tower was 48 meters high).
In 1852, the Montelbanstoren tower miraculously escaped again, and since 1878 the Water Management Board of Amsterdam has been located within its walls. In 2006, the building was overhauled, and until 2010 it was empty, after which the Secret Garden Foundation settled here. Since 2014, the Montelbanstoren tower houses the office of a private boat station.
The first written mentions of the tower called "Montelbanstoren" date back to 1537, but the origin of this name is still a mystery. Locals sometimes jokingly call the Montelbanstoren tower "stupid Yaaap", and only because once the clock on the old tower went off and its bells began to ring out of place, confusing the townspeople.
