Maria- of Kruittoren, 16th-century watchtower in Hoorn, Netherlands
Maria- of Kruittoren is a 16th-century watchtower in Hoorn with a half-round basement within the city moat, topped by a slate-covered wooden roof and featuring shooting holes for defense. The tower contains multiple levels including a vaulted cellar, a room with a fireplace, and an upper floor that opens onto the fortification walkway.
The tower was built in 1508 as part of Hoorn's defensive system and later served multiple roles including powder magazine and military guard post. Over the centuries, its defensive purpose diminished, but the structure remained and was adapted for other uses.
The structure displays late Gothic features in its stone entrance and design details that reflect how Dutch fortifications looked during that era. These architectural elements give visitors a direct sense of early 16th-century construction methods.
The tower is accessible through multiple entrances and internal staircases allow exploration of the different levels and the fortification walkway above. Visitors should be prepared for uneven floors and narrow stairs as the building retains its medieval structure.
Since 2015, this former defensive tower has been transformed into residential space while maintaining its status as a Rijksmonument, a protected national heritage site in the Netherlands. This conversion demonstrates how historical structures can be given new purpose while preserving their significance.
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