3579 x 5304 px | 30,3 x 44,9 cm | 11,9 x 17,7 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
23. Mai 2012
Ort:
The Netherlands Holland Amsterdam Prinsengracht 279-281 Westerkerk Church
Weitere Informationen:
On 9 September 1620, the first stone of the Westerkerk church was laid on Keizersmarkt square, which today is Westermarkt square. Hendrick de Keyser had supplied the design. After Hendrick de Keyser’s death in 1621, his work activities, such as on the Noorderkerk church, were continued by his son Pieter. The tower is located on the façade to the west and during the construction of both this tower and the church, the sketch was not entirely adhered to. Up until halfway through construction, activities were followed according to De Keyser’s plans. After that, three increasingly smaller square floors were placed on top instead of the planned octagonal upper structure. The hull is made from brick, the part above that was executed in sandstone and the two top layers were done in wood, covered with gray-painted lead. That way, it looks like the tower is entirely made from stone. The church was completed in 1631, on Whit Sunday. The tower was completed seven years later and was the tallest tower of Amsterdam at the time with its 85 metres of height. The bells of the Westertoren tower In addition to a carillon with 47 bells, the Westertoren also has three chime bells. The large hour bell, which indicates the full hour, weighs over 7500 kg. The bell bears the writing ‘Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum’ (The word of the Lord endures forever). The bell that strikes every half hour, is about half this weight.
