Oldehove

The icon of the city of Leeuwarden is the Oldehove. Building was started in 1529, and the tower leans, curves, and still isn't quite complete! It was originally intended for the Oldehove tower to sit next to a new church, that would stand on the ground of the old Sint Vitusker, however the project was never realised. This was unfortunate news to head builder Jacob van Aaken, as during the building process, the tower sank and leaned. There have been attempts to complete more brickwork for the tower, but none of these have been successful. Building stopped in 1533, and there have been no other attempts to change it further. It was hoped that the tower would eventually reach 120 metres, and would have a number of functions, but none of this was completed. Since then, the tower has become one of the most important symbols of the city of Leeuwarden. 

Leeuwarders take great pride in their 'leaning tower', and it has even given rise to the saying: "A'k de Oldehove niet siën ken, dan foël ik my onwennich"- "If I can't see the Oldehove, then I can't feel at ease". 

The Oldehove:

-has a height of around 39-metres, with a structure that reaches 48-metres

-Hangs 1.99 metres off-centre

-Has staircases with more than 183 steps

-Was built between the 28th May 1529 to halfway through 1533

-Had two doors until 1599 (one on the east side, one on the west)

-Had an electric lift between 1916 and 1954

-Had a new lift installed in 2011 (to the first floor)

-Has a front door that is 72.5cm higher than the earlier 'backdoor'

-Welcomed around 28,200 visitors in 2017, which was at that point a record

- It then saw around 65,000 people visit in 2018 (!)

-Has a team of 25 'tower watchers' 

-Is a popular marriage location

-Is open daily from April-October

-Has been managed by the Historic Centre of Leeuwarden (HCL) since 1910