Hoorn's Hoofdtoren in the mist by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Hoorn's Hoofdtoren in the mist"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

The Hoofdtoren is one of the last surviving defences in the North Holland town of Hoorn. The tower is named after the nearby jetty Houten Hoofd, which was built as early as 1464. Today, the tower houses a restaurant.

The tower stands on the town's harbour. It was built of Gobertang limestone and brick in 1532. In 1614, the tower lost its defensive function and the Nordic Company moved into the tower. Around this time, the turret modelled on the tower of Amsterdam's Zuiderkerk was also placed on the roof. In 1632, the tower was struck by lightning, after which it was destroyed by fire. The tower was completely rebuilt after this.

After the dissolution of the Compagnie, the Lakenbereidersgilde and the Maatschappij voor de Levantse handel moved into the tower. From the Nordic Company, the vault and accompanying fireplace were transferred to the Westfries Museum in 1904. The Veermans bell present in the tower was looted during World War II and returned to Hoorn from Nederhorst den Berg after the war. Next to the tower on the quay wall is a statue of the Ship's Boys of Bontekoe from the book of the same name.

Hoorn is about 40 kilometres north of Amsterdam, on the Markermeer. It is also located between Alkmaar (~20 km) and Enkhuizen (~15 km). It is the unofficial capital of the West Friesland region. The origin of the place name Hoorn - old spelling variants are Horn(e) and Hoirne - is not certain. Possibly it derives from Hornicwed. Medieval Hornic means Corner, and wed or wedor is a medieval word for 'water'.