A Photo Tour of Amsterdam
Buildings, Houses, Canals, and Street Scenes
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[003] – The "Schreierstoren" –  ±AD1400

The "Schreierstoren" (the "Weepers Tower") is a watch tower built around 1400 as a part of the stone and brick defensive wall system which surrounded the city in those days.  The tower got its name from the fact that, overlooking the harbor, it was a favorite place for friends, wives and family members to wave a last farewell to seamen departing on voyages bound for the East- or the West Indies which, during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, might take as long as 2 years!  On the picture below you can clearly see "de Waag" just to the right of the church tower and the end of the "Geldersekade".  Here are two more views of the tower.   View #1 is a look at the tower from the Geldersekade.  View #2 is toward the convergence of the Geldersekade and the Oudezijdskade at the Oudezijds Kolk (lock or sluice).  In the back, the tower of the Oudekerk is clearly visible.  At the right hand side of the picture, the rear and the top of the Sint Nicolaas church dominate the skyline.  For some more information about this as well as some other towers, go to the "De Waag" page.

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