Coin Tower

The coin tower is all that remains of the ancient gate in the city wall of Amsterdam, from where in the Middle Ages the guards watched the approaches to the city.

At the beginning of the XVII century, the gate burned down, and the tower, though damaged, but survived. A few years later, its restoration was carried out, as a result of which its appearance underwent significant changes, and the Mint was located inside - hence the name. An octagonal top with an elegant spire and a clock with four dials, and a carillon are designed by Dutch sculptor and architect Hendrik de Keyser. Since in the XV century in the immediate vicinity of the tower was a cattle market, it installed a gold weather vane with a figure of a bull.

But the main pride of the Mint Tower is, of course, its carillon, created in 1668 by masters Peter and Francois Hemony. Now it consists of 38 bells (two more than originally) of different sizes, which ring every quarter of an hour. On Saturdays between 14 and 15 hours, the carillonneur of Amsterdam gives a concert on the bells. This is an unforgettable show that must be visited by all guests of the capital.

Inside the tower is a shop where you can buy the famous Delft porcelain.