Munttoren (Mint Tower), Amsterdam

This tower served as both a boundary marker for the medieval walled city and one of its original gates. Back in the Middle Ages, the city walls were surrounded by a moat known as the Singel canal. Prior to around 1500, the area beyond this point was essentially just soggy fields and a handful of farms on reclaimed land. The steeple was actually added later, in 1620, as you can see below the clock face.

Erected during the latter part of the 15th century, the tower underwent significant renovations throughout the centuries. It managed to survive a big fire in 1618, which destroyed most of the city's walls, almost unscathed; however, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style the following year. Hendrick de Keyser, a renowned Dutch architect and sculptor, was in charge of the reconstruction and added the elegant eight-sided top section. They also incorporated four clock faces and a set of bells, although the original bells are now on display in the Amsterdam Museum, having been replaced with newer ones. The tower chimes every quarter of an hour, and on Saturdays between 2 and 3pm, you can enjoy a live bell concerto.

The construction got its curious name in the 17th century during a time when the Dutch were in conflict with England and France. Since most of Dutch territory was occupied and there was a high risk of losing valuable resources, they needed a place to make money quickly, so they turned this tower into a makeshift mint. And that's how its uniqueness became etched into Amsterdam's rich tapestry of stories.