Bagijnetoren, Turm in den Niederlanden
The Bagijnetoren is a tower in Delft built in the early 1500s with a round shape and thick brick walls. The structure rests on a sloped foundation built atop earlier defensive walls, with underground remains now hidden beneath modern streets.
The tower was built around 1449 as part of Delft's renewed city defenses after the town strengthened its fortifications. It lost its military purpose in the 1800s, was later used as a residence and workshop, and has been surrounded by tram tracks since 1929.
The name Bagijnetoren refers to the Beghardswhose religious community was active in this area. The tower now stands amid modern buildings and reminds visitors of the connection between religious life and city defense in medieval Delft.
The tower is easy to reach and located near the train station and other historical sites in the city. Visitors should note that the tower is surrounded by modern roads and tram tracks, which can make photography and walking around it challenging.
The tower was moved 15 meters north in 2009 to make space for a new railway tunnel, then carefully relocated back to its original spot. This relocation is a rare example of how modern infrastructure can work around medieval monuments.
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