In the heart of Amsterdam, between the Warmoesstraat and the Red Light District, a short melody sounds from the tower of the Oude Kerk every 15 minutes. But on Sunday mornings, things are different. Then the bells are rung, by a small team of ringers. One of them is Bert Nap. He has been doing it for more than forty years. In this video, he talks about the tower, the neighbourhood and the special ritual.

A neighbourhood full of history

It starts in the Wijde Kerksteeg, next to the Oude Kerk. This used to be the most expensive street in Amsterdam. This is where the mayors lived. The area breathes history and the tower has seen it all.

"A neighbourhood that has already been through so much," says Bert. "The tower will all give a damn. Who looks down. And if he could shake his head, he would. Sometimes he might also roar with laughter."

Up through time

Those who enter find themselves in a stone stairwell dating back to the 14th century. Past walls with inscribed names and traces of past visitors, you climb all the way up to the bell chamber, where the city's oldest clock still hangs.

That is where Bert rings the bells.

"It's an experience every time. Magical," he says. "When you're ringing, sometimes you forget the time. Of course that's not allowed because you have to stop in time, but it happens."

This is something you wish every Amsterdammer to experience.

Watch the video and step into the tower with Bert Nap, and hear the story behind the ringing of Amsterdam's oldest bells.