The boarding of the company troops at the Montelbaan Tower, Amsterdam

Situated on the bank of the Oude Schans canal in the centre of Amsterdam, the Montelbaan Tower was probably built in 1517 as part of Amsterdam’s defence reinforcements. The tower lost its function around 1591 when the fast-growing city was extended. The octagonal steeple was added in 1606 after a design by Hendrick de Keyser, the celebrated sculptor and architect who also built the Zuiderkerk (Southern Church), which can be seen in the distance. The Montelbaan Tower was a distinctive feature of Amsterdam’s skyline and was painted several times by Storck and other artists including Rembrandt.