Martinitoren, Gothic church tower at Grote Markt, Netherlands.
The Martinitoren is a Gothic church tower in central Groningen, Netherlands, rising 97 meters and decorated with detailed stonework. A spiral staircase with 260 steps winds upward, allowing visitors to climb to observation platforms.
Construction of the current tower began in 1469 and ended in 1482, after two earlier towers were destroyed by lightning. The tower was built as part of the Martini Church and has shaped the city skyline ever since.
The tower houses a carillon with 62 bells that ring regularly over Grote Markt. Three figures stand above the entrance, representing important regional personalities: Bernlef, Saint Martin, and Rudolf Agricola.
The climb uses a narrow spiral staircase and requires some physical fitness, as there are no elevators available. From the observation platforms, visitors can survey the city and surrounding countryside.
The foundations reach only three meters deep, causing the tower to lean about 0.6 meters from vertical. This tilt is visible to the naked eye from several spots around Grote Markt.
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