Schreierstoren (Weepers Tower)

The Schreierstoren is a defensive tower built during the medieval period of Amsterdam’s history in the early 15th century. It was built as part of the defense fortifications of the city, and is a fine example of medieval brickwork craftsmanship and medieval architecture. Over the years, the Schreierstoren has been given a romantic history that explains it’s English namesake translation of “Weeper’s Tower,” where supposedly the wives of sailors would go to weep as their husbands sailed off to sea. While you may find some debate on the matter, it appears that the story of the weeping wives is likely just a romantic fairy tale, and not rooted in the truth. Though, if you find the right tour guide, you are certain to get the full story, and you can choose to believe whichever version you prefer; even if it isn’t true, it is still a lovely sentiment, and a fun story to tell your friends when you return from your trip to Amsterdam. Today, the Schreierstoren is a café and is open to the public for visiting and dining purposes.

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