Tall John Abbey Tower

Lange Jan, Tall John, is the tower of the former abbey in the centre of Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland, and it is one of the best-known landmarks in the province. It rises roughly ninety metres above the roofs of the town and can be seen from far across the flat landscape of Walcheren. The tower belongs to the Abbey church, part of a complex founded by Premonstratensian monks in the twelfth century, which grew to be among the wealthiest and most important religious houses of the region. The tower itself dates from the later Middle Ages, when the abbey was at its height, and it has the strong, simple outline of late Gothic brick architecture.

The abbey has had a turbulent history. After the Reformation its religious function ended, and the buildings were used for other purposes by the town and the province. In May 1940 German bombing set the town centre on fire, and the abbey complex was badly damaged, though the tower survived in a battered state and was restored along with the rest of the complex after the war. Today the abbey buildings house the provincial government and cultural institutions, including the Zeeuws Museum, which makes it still a centre of the life of the province.

Climbing the tower is the main reason to come. The staircase is narrow and steep, with about two hundred steps, and there are places to rest and sometimes small displays about the tower, its bells and the town on the way up. At the top, the view opens across Middelburg's roofs, canals and ring of ramparts, and beyond to the fields, the dykes and the sea. On a clear day you can see the lines of other islands and the coast, and the pattern of the Zeeland landscape, of polders and water, becomes clear. Bells are an important part of the tower, which has a carillon, and the sound carries over the town on certain days.

The abbey square has more to see. Cloisters, courtyards, gardens and the large squares give a feeling of how the abbey once looked, and the surrounding streets are lined with historic brick houses. The Markt, with its Gothic town hall, the Vleeshal gallery and the canals are a short walk away.

The tower suits history lovers, photographers and those who enjoy climbing for a view. It is not suitable for people with mobility problems or a fear of heights, and the stairs can be slippery. Check opening times and ticket details before going, since the tower is open seasonally. Wear comfortable shoes.