Linnaeustoren

Description

The Linnaeustoren in Harderwijk is an octagonal brick tower built in the 16th century as the stair tower of the Commanderij 's-Heerenloo, a building of the Knights Hospitaller. A commemorative stone dated 1570 is embedded in its facade, flanked by the coat of arms of Commander Ten Start and the Johanniter Order. Adjacent to the tower is a gate that was relocated there in 1912 during the restoration of the Catharinakapel. The gate's pediment bears the inscription: "Bono publico et Palladi Sacrum MDCXXVI," meaning "Dedicated to the public good and Pallas, 1626." The tower is named after Carl Linnaeus, a renowned Swedish botanist who graduated from the University of Harderwijk. A bust of Linnaeus is placed in a niche of the tower.