Seems mans’ ambitions often are difficult to bring to reality. It always amazes me the amount of money that such ambitions cost while much of the populace struggles just to survive. Although this tower remains even if not completed, it is a monument to the ambitions of those of are no longer here.
Sad that it was used as a lookout for German troops but it still managed to survive and serve as a landmark. Thanks for the history, drawings, and photo of the tower. Also enjoyed the article.
Another part of history that I would not have known except for that.
That makes local history so interesting. It is never the stuff that you read about in serious history books. I always try to find information on local history wherever I travel; the more irrelevant, the better. There are so many of these small details of local history on this island. I hope to share many of these.
The drawing made so many centuries ago is very revealing to see what was originally planned for the fat tower. Ambitious indeed! I wonder if it was religious zeal that inspired such an imposing structure or the desire to create a building larger than any other. Strange that such a plan was hatched in such a small city. Perhaps civic pride was the motivation to bring attention to all this lovely town represents. Whatever the reason, it has lasted through history & has become a beloved landmark today.
The fat tower has had quite an interesting past. Being used as a lookout by the Germans would have made it an obvious advantage for them. I’m glad it survived the damage from the Allied attack.
A beautiful photo of a very unusual subject though not unusual at all for those who see it daily I suppose. It’s just home. Thank you for another great Island Story!
Thank you, many church towers in Zeeland have this shape, but they are normally smaller. Like the one in Goedereede (just north of Zeeland), some were also used as a lighthouse.
What a massive tower! Thank you for the photo including the houses on the left. They really helped me realizes just how big that tower is.
I've come across a few churches where the tower or towers were left unfinished - must look for pictures. Mostly due to missing funds. As you say this tells us a lot about the ambitions of the people who attempted this and also the importance of building big churches with even bigger towers. Very interesting. Thank you.
And thank you also for including that Dutch wikipedia entry - I love that I can read it without much difficulty, but equally hate the fact that I don't speak any Dutch. I'll need to change that.
Most houses in Zierikzee are smaller than those in other old cities in the Netherlands. I expect that it says something about the economic situation of this city in the past centuries.
Seems mans’ ambitions often are difficult to bring to reality. It always amazes me the amount of money that such ambitions cost while much of the populace struggles just to survive. Although this tower remains even if not completed, it is a monument to the ambitions of those of are no longer here.
Sad that it was used as a lookout for German troops but it still managed to survive and serve as a landmark. Thanks for the history, drawings, and photo of the tower. Also enjoyed the article.
Another part of history that I would not have known except for that.
That makes local history so interesting. It is never the stuff that you read about in serious history books. I always try to find information on local history wherever I travel; the more irrelevant, the better. There are so many of these small details of local history on this island. I hope to share many of these.
What an extraordinary endeavor . . .
Some day I would like to see it on the inside (-:
You raised my curiosity and I read about Saint Livinus's history
Thank you
You can go inside and climb to the top of the tower. I may do it some of these days to share the view from the top.
The drawing made so many centuries ago is very revealing to see what was originally planned for the fat tower. Ambitious indeed! I wonder if it was religious zeal that inspired such an imposing structure or the desire to create a building larger than any other. Strange that such a plan was hatched in such a small city. Perhaps civic pride was the motivation to bring attention to all this lovely town represents. Whatever the reason, it has lasted through history & has become a beloved landmark today.
The fat tower has had quite an interesting past. Being used as a lookout by the Germans would have made it an obvious advantage for them. I’m glad it survived the damage from the Allied attack.
A beautiful photo of a very unusual subject though not unusual at all for those who see it daily I suppose. It’s just home. Thank you for another great Island Story!
Thank you, many church towers in Zeeland have this shape, but they are normally smaller. Like the one in Goedereede (just north of Zeeland), some were also used as a lighthouse.
Evelyne Luethyjust now
What a massive tower! Thank you for the photo including the houses on the left. They really helped me realizes just how big that tower is.
I've come across a few churches where the tower or towers were left unfinished - must look for pictures. Mostly due to missing funds. As you say this tells us a lot about the ambitions of the people who attempted this and also the importance of building big churches with even bigger towers. Very interesting. Thank you.
And thank you also for including that Dutch wikipedia entry - I love that I can read it without much difficulty, but equally hate the fact that I don't speak any Dutch. I'll need to change that.
Most houses in Zierikzee are smaller than those in other old cities in the Netherlands. I expect that it says something about the economic situation of this city in the past centuries.