Munttoren (Mint Tower)

The Munttoren, which means “Mint” or “Coin” tower in Dutch, is located on busy Muntplein Square in Amsterdam, precisely where the Amstel River and the Singel Canal meet and formed Regulierspoort. Built in 1487 as part as one of the main gates in Amsterdam's medieval city wall, Munttoren was mainly used to mint coins until it burned down in 1618.
It was later on rebuilt in the Amsterdam Renaissance style, with an octagonal-shaped top half and an open spire designed by celebrated Dutch architect Hendrick de Keyser. But visitors looking for a tower fitting this description will be disappointed; indeed the original guardhouse, which had survived the fire, was entirely replaced with a new building in the late 19th century except for the original carillon. It was made in 1668 and consists of 38 bells that chime every 15 minutes, even to this day – a carillonneur employed by the city of Amsterdam gives a live concert every Saturday between 2 and 3 p.m. Fun fact: scale models of the tower are exhibited at Madurodam in The Hague and at Mini-Europe in Brussels.

Practical Info

Due to its central location on Muntplein, Munttoren is easily accessible on foot or by public transit, including trams (1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 14, 16, 24) and buses (363). The tower is not open to the public for visits but can be enjoyed from many different viewpoints along the surrounding canals.