Nieuwe Toren, Kampen, Clock tower in Kampen, Netherlands
Nieuwe Toren is a clock tower in Kampen featuring a stone base topped by a distinctive wooden lantern crown that holds four clock faces and a carillon of 48 bells. The structure rises prominently above the medieval city center and serves as a landmark visible from many streets.
Construction began in 1649 following a fire that destroyed a hospital chapel on the site. Architect Philips Vingboons designed the distinctive wooden crown, which was completed in 1664.
The carillon bells ring out regularly across the old city center, shaping how locals experience their daily surroundings. People pause and listen when the musical performances sound through the streets.
The tower can be climbed during special occasions, offering viewing platforms that look out over the medieval city center. Be prepared for multiple flights of stairs when accessing the upper levels.
The wooden crown was originally designed for a different major building in Amsterdam before being built here instead. This unexpected journey of the design makes the tower a surprising example of how architectural plans can shift across projects.
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