ARLINGTON, Virginia, United States — The Netherlands Carillon, a 127-foot tall open steel tower, stands in Arlington Ridge Park. This musical monument, gifted by the Dutch people in 1954, houses 50 bronze bells weighing from 42 to 6,724 pounds. Designed by Dutch architect Joost Boks, it was dedicated in 1960 as a symbol of US-Netherlands friendship. The carillon overlooks the Potomac River with views of the Washington, DC skyline, situated between the Marine Corps War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Netherlands Carillon is a distinctive landmark in Arlington Ridge Park, Virginia, overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, DC skyline. This 127-foot tall open steel tower was a gift from the people of the Netherlands to the United States, expressing gratitude for American aid during and after World War II. Designed by Dutch architect Joost Boks, the carillon was officially dedicated in 1960, though the gift was first presented in 1954. It houses 50 bronze bells, ranging in weight from 42 pounds to 6,724 pounds. The original 49 bells were cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry in the Netherlands, with a 50th bell added in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Netherlands' liberation. Each bell bears an emblem representing various groups in Dutch society. The carillon features an automated system that plays Westminster chimes every quarter-hour and longer songs at noon and 6 pm. Live concerts by carillonneurs are performed regularly, especially during summer months. The site includes two bronze lions sculpted by Dutch artist Paul Koning, symbolizing the Netherlands. Thousands of tulips surround the tower, blooming each spring and adding Dutch character to the landscape. At the base are bronze pillars inscribed with the provinces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located between the Marine Corps War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, the Netherlands Carillon is managed by the National Park Service as part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. It serves as both a monument to international friendship and a unique musical instrument, offering visitors a cultural experience and spectacular views of the Washington, DC area.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Netherlands Carillon, Arlington, Virginia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: .., america, area, arlington, bell, bells, capital, carillon, clock, columbia, concerts, dc, district, dutch, flowers, george, gift, gratitude, historic, ii, iwo, jima, landmarks, memorial, memorials, monument, national, nations, netherlands, north, park, parkway, ridge, service, states, steel, structure, tower, tulips, united, usa, va, views, virginia, war, washington, world, wwii
