Nederland - Ransdorp

When nowadays visiting Ransdorp, it is almost unbelievable this rural and pastoral village once was a medium sized trading village with more ships at sea than Amsterdam. During the Golden Age of this area - about 1450-1570 - numerous shipping entrepreneurs and skippers lived in Ransdorp. Around 1545, more people from Waterland than from Amsterdam sailed to the Baltic Sea.

The richly decorated flat and oversized church tower - late gothic style - reminds the people of Ransdorp of the heyday of their village. A lovely village - just 8 km’s from Amsterdam - with wooden green coloured houses. It is a tiny place with about 250 inhabitants.

At thirty-two metres in height it is far-and-away the tallest building, not just in the village but in all the villages in the area. Started in the first half of the 16th century, the tower was supposed to have a spire but was never completed, most probably due to a lack of money. The church itself was built in 1719 and replaced an church from the Middle Ages. Nowadays it use for expositions, receptions and other cultural events.

During the summer season the church and tower are open for visitors and you can climb the 155 stair steps to the top of the tower for a stunning view over the surrounding area.