Polder Tower - Emmeloord

The Polder Tower is a striking landmark in Emmeloord. This former water tower was built between 1957 and 1959. The need for a tower that would stand out from all roads leading to Emmeloord was determined as early as the 1930s. Even before the polder was reclaimed, in other words. When the reclamation of the Northeast Polder was completed in 1949, a pole was erected exactly in the middle of the land. So the tower stands at the exact centre of the Northeast Polder. Or is it?

Investigation by Omroep Flevoland revealed that the tower was actually built 1,200 metres too far to the west! In any case, it is high: 65.30 metres to be precise. This makes it the tallest water tower in the Netherlands. Since 2014, the Polder Tower has been declared a national monument.

Every 15 minutes, the Polder Tower provides a cheerful note in Emmeloord, as that is when the tower bells play a music. Every half-hour, the number of hours is struck on the light clock. On the full hour, it slaloms the number of hours on the heavy bell. This sounds from 7am to 8pm. After 20.00 only the hour strikes sound and after 00.00 it is silent.

Another nice detail about the bells: the carillon has 48 bells, each of which has its own inscription. For instance, some have Latin spells, but all villages of the Northeast Polder also have their 'own' bell.

Photos: ©Evert de Graaff - via Emmeloord.info