Oldehove
Fryslân
The Oldehove is a striking leaning and unfinished church tower located in the medieval center of Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands. Originally, it stood on an artificial mound known as a terp, where a Catholic church dedicated to Saint Vitus was established in the late 9th century. Construction of the Late Gothic tower began in 1529, aiming to surpass the height of Groningen's Martinitoren. However, the tower began to tilt during construction, and despite attempts to correct it, building ceased around 1532-1533. The adjoining church was demolished by the late 16th century, leaving only the tower standing. Built mainly of brick and Bentheim sandstone, the 39-meter tower has 183 steps and leans approximately 2 meters horizontally from its center. It houses two historic bells cast in the 17th century and features a mechanical clock from 1911 that is still wound weekly. Today, the Oldehove is a Rijksmonument and a custodian of Leeuwarden's heritage, symbolizing medieval ambition and architectural challenges.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to visit during spring and summer for pleasant weather and to enjoy views from the tower. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. The tower offers discounts for groups and seniors. Note that the tower has 183 steps and no elevator, so comfortable footwear is advised. Nearby, the Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden provides additional historical context.
Interesting facts
- •The Oldehove leans approximately 4.2 degrees from vertical, making it a famous leaning tower though not the most tilted in the area.
- •It houses the heaviest bell in Friesland, weighing 5,670 kg, cast by Hans Falck in 1633.
- •The tower's clock, made in Amsterdam in 1911, is still wound manually every week, a rarity among church towers.
- •The tower was intended to surpass the Martinitoren in Groningen but was never completed due to its tilt.
- •The original church collapsed in a storm in 1576, leading to its eventual demolition, leaving only the tower standing.
History
The site of the Oldehove dates back to the late 9th century when a Catholic church dedicated to Saint Vitus was first built on a terp.
Around 1000 AD, a small church stood here, which was enlarged around 1100.
In the 13th century, plans for a larger church were made but only the foundation was laid.
After 1435, a three-aisled Saint Vitus church was constructed.
In 1529, construction began on a broad tower intended to be taller than Groningen's Martinitoren.
The tower began to lean when it was only ten meters high, leading to the cessation of construction by 1532-1533.
The church collapsed in a storm in 1576 and was demolished by 1595, leaving only the tower intact.
The church building was fully removed by 1706.
Place Guide
The Tower Structure1529-1532
The 39-meter tall Late Gothic tower is built mainly from brick with Bentheim sandstone accents. It has 183 steps leading to the top, which is displaced horizontally by about 2 meters due to the tilt. Visitors can climb the tower to enjoy panoramic views of Leeuwarden.
Historic Bells1633 and 1637
The tower contains two bells: a large bell cast in 1633 by Hans Falck weighing 5,670 kg, and a smaller bell cast in 1637 by Jacob Noteman weighing about 2,000 kg. These bells are still in use and contribute to the tower's historic ambiance.
Mechanical Tower Clock1911
Located on the first floor, the tower clock was made in Amsterdam in 1911. It is notable for still being wound manually on a weekly basis, unlike most church clocks which have been electrified. The clock mechanism strikes the bells every half hour.
