St Martin's Tower Climb Ticket in Groningen

St Martin's Tower, the Old Grey One

St Martin's Tower was completed in the late fifteenth century as the bell tower of St Martin's Church, and at about 97 metres it is still the highest building in the historic city. Locals call it the Old Grey One, after the colour of its weathered stone. Over the centuries it has survived fire, lightning strikes and a near collapse, and its upper sections were rebuilt in the seventeenth century in the form you see today.

The tower has always been more than a church steeple. It served as a lookout over the flat land around the city, a landmark for ships coming up the waterways and a timekeeper for the market below, with its great clock dials and bells. Today it is the symbol of Groningen, and a St Martin's Tower visit is one of the first things travellers add to their plans for the city.

The climb: bells, the first gallery and the film

Because there is no lift, the climb is part of the adventure. Narrow stone stairs and wooden steps lead past church vaults, centuries-old ornaments, heavy bells and the giant poles once used for flags. At the first gallery, about 39 metres up, you can step outside and walk all the way around the tower, with the city spread out beneath you.

On the same level a small cinema shows a short film that tells the history of Groningen through the eyes of the tower, a welcome rest before the final stretch. Higher still, past the clock mechanism, you reach the bell level between the great clock faces, where you hear the gulls overhead and the bustle of the market below. Here you have the chance to ring the bells yourself, a favourite moment for children and adults alike.

Practical visit: tickets, timing and opening hours

Your St Martin's Tower tickets give entry for one day, and most visitors take about an hour for the climb, the gallery, the film and the descent. Opening hours vary through the year, and the last entry is one hour before closing, so plan to arrive with enough time. Weekday mornings are usually the quietest, while late afternoon light makes the rooftops glow.

The stairs are steep and in places narrow and slightly damp, so wear comfortable shoes and clothes that let you move freely. The climb is not recommended for pregnant visitors or anyone with heart problems. Is the tower worth visiting? On a clear day you can see far across the flat countryside of the province, and the view over the Grote Markt and the canal ring is the best overview of the city you will get.

Around the Grote Markt and St Martin's Church

The tower stands at the corner of the Grote Markt, the main square, where markets are held several days a week and the neoclassical city hall faces the open space. Entry to St Martin's Church itself is not part of this ticket, but the church is worth a separate visit for its medieval wall paintings and historic organ when it is open to visitors.

Behind the church lies a quiet tree-lined church square and the Prinsenhof garden, a small historic garden of roses and herbs with an old sundial, perfect for a calm break after the climb. A few minutes away are the Vismarkt square and the A-Church, and the canals are within easy reach. Many guests combine the climb with a canal cruise from the jetty opposite the Central Station, about fifteen minutes on foot.