Sint-Lievensmonstertoren

The tower of the Sint- Lievens- Münster (also: " Dicker Turm ") is the most visible monumental church tower ( "Monster gates ", as much as: cathedral tower ) of the former Minster to Zierikzee in the Netherlands ( province of Zeeland). The nave was demolished after a fire in 1832. The tower is the most famous building Zierikzee.

History

Until the Reformation, the cathedral to Zierikzee was dedicated to Saint Livinus of Ghent (Dutch Lieven ). Through archaeological excavations the architectural history of the sacred building could be clarified. First, a basilica was built in tuff with a transept in the 12th century. The choir and the transept arms closed each with an apse. This is followed, a new choir room of brick with buttresses and 5/8-Schluss was added in the 14th century. Finally, the hall church of the 15th century was followed.

The ambitious building program of late Gothic tower and a new church was begun from the cathedral chapter in 1454, builder was probably Andries Keldermans from Mechelen. The foundation work lasted about 25 years, and have been hampered by the great fire of 1466. The scope of the tower is at the foot of 16 x 16 m ( 24.5 x 24.5 m with buttresses ) (for comparison: the tower of the cathedral of Utrecht has a base circumference of 19.5 x 19.5 m). After about 30 years of further construction of the tower had reached the present height of 61 m, as the heyday of the city and past so that the necessary funds had been used for the further construction. According to recent estimates, the tower would have been using the original plans probably will reach a height of about 130 m.

After the fire the church in 1832, at which the tower was not damaged, the late-Gothic church was demolished and in its place built a simple neo-classical hall, completed in 1848 Nieuwe Kerk, who has no connection with the now free-standing tower. In the years 1839/1840, 1883-1887 and 1957-1972 restoration works took place.

Others

The tower is open to the public and can be climbed up to the top platform. On the ground floor there is a small museum on the history of the church and tower and a focal point of the parish.