Monnickendam in Waterland, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Speeltoren
⎯⎯⎯
Bell Tower
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 19, 2025
1. Speeltoren / Bell Tower Marker
Huidige bekroning uit 1592.
Carillon met valse klokken
Carillon uit de eerste bloeiperiode van de beiaardkunst (1596), waarin de techniek van het klokken stemmen nog niet geperfectioneerd was. Het enige klokkenspel uit die tijd, dat volledig bewaard is en dagelijks functioneert en daarmee het meest authentieke en valse carillon van Europa is.
Uurwerk
Gang-, slagwerken en speeltrommel van mr. Roeloff Othz, 1594. Halfuurklok van G. van Wou en J. Schoonenborch, 1513.
Uurklok van Thomas Both, 1591.
Speelklokken
15 klokken van Peter v d. Ghein, 1595-1597.
1 klok van Anthony Wilkes, 1663.
2 klokken van Melchior de Haaze, 1678.
Built around 1450 as a town hall tower.
Current crowning from 1592.
Carillon with untuned bells
Carillon from the first heyday of carillon art (1596), when the technique of tuning bells had not yet been perfected. The only carillon from that time that has been completely preserved and functions daily, making it the most authentic and out-of-tune carillon in Europe.
Clockwork
Action, striking and barrel clocks by Mr. Roeloff Othz, 1594.
Half-hour clock by G. van Wou and J. Schoonenborch, 1513.
Hour clock by Thomas Both, 1591.
Musical clocks
15 clocks by Peter v d. Ghein, 1595-1597.
1 clock by Anthony Wilkes, 1663.
2 clocks by Melchior de Haaze, 1678.
Erected by the
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1450.
Location. 52° 27.561′ N, 5° 2.141′ E. Marker is in Monnickendam, Noord-Holland (North Holland), in Waterland. It is at the intersection of Noordeinde and Kerkstraat, on the right when traveling north on Noordeinde. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Noordeinde 2, Monnickendam, Noord-Holland 1141 AM, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Andries Witmond (a few steps from this marker); Philip Benjamin Witmond (a few steps from this marker); De Vergulde Eenhoorn / The Gilded Unicorn (a few steps
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 19, 2025
2. Speeltoren / Bell Tower Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here just to the left of the door.
Also see . . . Speeltoren (Monnickendam) (Wikipedia, in Dutch). Excerpt (in translation):
The Speeltoren is the town hall tower of Monnickendam, which houses the oldest hand-playable carillon in the Netherlands.(Submitted on May 2, 2025.)
The lower part of the building is probably a remnant of the old 14th-century parish church. At over thirty metres, the tower has seven floors. The wooden crowning of the tower was built in the years 1591/1592 for a new town hall, for which a new facade was built again in 1658. In 1814, this town hall was demolished and replaced by a small gate. Later, a police station was built on that site, where the museum 'De Speeltoren'has been located since 1980; today the Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren. The museum is dedicated to the history of Monnickendam and Waterland. The tower has retained its 16th-century appearance to this day.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 19, 20253. Speeltoren / Bell Tower and marker
Photographed by Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed (via Wikimedia Commons under CC 4.0 license), 1902
4. Speeltoren
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 19, 2025
5. Speeltoren / Bell Tower - upper portion of tower
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 2, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
