Built around 1480 as part of the city’s defenses, this tower is where Henry Hudson set sail for the New World in 1609; a plaque outside marks the spot. It’s called the ‘wailing tower’ in lore – where women waved farewell to sailors’ ships – but the name actually comes from the word ‘sharp’ (for how the corner jutted into the bay).
Step into the cozy VOC Café for a look inside the tower. The canal-side terrace is a dandy place for a drink.
