Gezicht op de Oude Schans en de Montelbaanstoren met op de voorgrond de Kikkerbilsluis before 1907

This photograph by Andries Jager captures the Oude Schans canal and the Montelbaanstoren in Amsterdam. The tower, a potent symbol of civic pride and defense, dominates the composition. These towers are not unique; they echo the ancient watchtowers guarding cities. Consider the Tower of Babel, a symbol of human ambition, or even the fortified towers of medieval castles—such structures have long resonated with themes of power and protection. Yet, the Montelbaanstoren, with its ornate spire, transcends mere defense. It also speaks to the city's aspirations and its connection to the heavens. We can almost feel the deep-seated human desire to reach beyond our earthly bounds. These buildings mark our landscapes, and this constant, cyclical return of the tower invites us to see the past in the present.