The Old Tower
General
Old Tower on Petrus Dondersplein is a remnant of a 15th-century
church and a landmark national monument in Sint-Michielsgestel.
Description
The tower was built in the Kempen Gothic style, with
alternating layers of brick and tuff stone. The top floor, which
houses the bells, is made entirely of brick. The tower has diagonal
buttresses, spandrels, a stair tower, and three sections with
pointed arches.
History
10th century:Wooden church, established through excavations
(14 post holes).
11th century: Replaced by a Romanesque tuff stone church.
15th century: Construction of the Gothic St. Michael's Church, later used by Reformed Protestants (1648–1799).
1799–1836: Returned to the Catholics; choir restored and new sacristy built. In 1836, a storm destroyed the spire and the nave.
1839–1932: New water board church built and demolished in 1932 after the construction of the larger St. Michael's Church (architect H.W. Valk).
1936: East facade of the tower modified and fitted with a balustrade.
1961: Excavations revealed the remains of the wooden and tuff stone churches and a burial vault with murals.
