Martinitors

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Groningen, Martini Tower

The Martiniturm is the church tower of the Martinikerk in Groningen . It is 97 meters high and has various viewing platforms from which you can see over the city. The ascent is via a steep spiral staircase that leads all the way to the top. There are several hundred steps to get there.

history

In 1468 the old church tower of the Martinikerk collapsed. The nave was damaged. During the reconstruction the nave was extended west. As a result, the new tower was built in a new place; it was created between 1469 and 1482.

In 1937 the tower was completely restored. Two houses built on its west side, including the registry office , were demolished. In August 1939, in view of the expected war, an aerial observation post was set up in the tower in order to be able to detect possible air attacks on the city at an early stage.

Carillon and bells

The carillon was cast in 1662/1663 by the famous bell-founding brothers Pieter and François Hemony . It originally consisted of 32 bells with a range of three octaves . On the occasion of a restoration it was added in 1984. Since then it has consisted of 49 bells with a range of four octaves, including 30 bells by the Hemony brothers.

Only once did the carillon of the Martini tower remain silent for a long time: when the aerial observation post was set up in the tower in August 1939, it got in the way and was dismantled; after the occupation of the Netherlands by Germany in May 1940 it was heard again.

In the tower hang twelve Läute- bells from the years 1577/78, 1962 and 1996 in the blow tones fis 0 (kg ≈7.850) gis 0 , ais 0 , h 0 , cis 1 , dis one , ice 1 , F # 1 , gis 1 , a sharp 1 , b sharp 1 and c sharp 2 . The bells are still rung by hand to this day.

literature

  • Frans Westra: Martinitoren. Geschiedenis van een toren . Uitgeverij Passage, Groningen 2009, ISBN 978-90-5452-209-6 .

Web links

Commons : Martinitoren  - collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Martinitoren In: toerisme.groningen.nl (German, multilingual)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ arent Toncko Schuitema Meijer: Zó what Groningen, 1919-1939 . Niemeijer, Groningen 1967, p. 36.
  2. ↑ a b Arent Toncko Schuitema Meijer: Zó was Groningen, 1919–1939 . Niemeijer, Groningen 1967, p. 45.
  3. ↑ Wim Alings: Kentekens in stad en land . Nefkens, Utrecht 1978, p. 37.
  4. ↑ Video recording of the loud bells at the Martinikerk

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