Oldest tower in the Netherlands

This national monument, located at Vlooswijkseweg 2 in Leusden is probably the oldest turret in the Netherlands. On this spot, where once Villa Lisiduna would have stood, a small settlement with land, farms and a church, the development of Leusden began.

A church has stood on this site since 697, first in wood and later in stone. For a long time, it was the only church in the area. After 1200, a church was added in Amersfoort and life moved from Leusden to Amersfoort, making the settlement and the church less important.

At the time of the Reformation around 1580, the church in Leusden became a Protestant church. The church was used less and less and due to poverty and the iconoclasm it fell into disrepair. So much so that restoration was no longer possible. In the year 1826, it was decided to demolish the church. The tower, however, remained standing. The stones from the demolished church were reused to build the village church on Arnhemseweg.

The tower, with its 1672 swinging bell, became the property of the municipality and has remained so to this day. Where the nave of the church was connected to the tower, the passage has been bricked up. Since 1971, the tower has been a national monument. During special openings, it is possible to climb the tower and enjoy the view.