Ascend Sint Jan’s cathedral

Your reward: spectacular views

Get those leg muscles warmed up - it’s a fair way to the top of Sint Jan’s cathedral tower! The good news is that you won’t need to climb all 218 steps on the narrow spiral staircase in one go: your Kring Vrienden guide will be pointing out all kinds of landmarks along the way.

Climbing the tower

The first 60 steps lead up to a bridge onto the tower itself. Beneath you is the baptistery; above you the naves. It’s here that the ascent up the tower really begins. On the first floor, you’ll come across a large trapdoor that was used to hoist the bells through. On the second floor is a small exhibition illustrating how the tower was built and restored.

Clock and drum

And on you climb... Up the spiral staircase in the east wall, arriving on the third floor, home to the old wrought iron clock that used to be attached to the hands on the tower. This clock had to be wound up twice a day by a municipal employee, who would lift up the weights. This is also where the drum to the carillon that plays a different tune every 15 minutes is housed. Listen carefully: what is that banging from within the tower?

The bells of Sint Jan's

On the fourth floor is the bell chamber where the swinging bells hang, as well as the heavier carillon bells. Another floor up you’ll find the carillon, carillonneur's cabin and the smaller bells. The tower houses 69 bells altogether. The largest of these is the Noteman, measuring no less than 2.10 metres in diameter.

Views from Sint Jan’s tower

Once you reach the sixth floor, 43 metres above street level, you can head outside. You’ll find yourself right next to the huge clock. The gilded big hand measures an impressive 1.75 metres long. Here, you’re rewarded with magnificent views of the historical city centre - and far beyond on a clear day!