city church bells s-Hertogenbosch Netherlands 959 am 251210_0057

Ambient church bells.
Here you can hear three church bells ringing together. One in the background is the Noteman bell of St John's Cathedral, which rings 10 times with a deep drone. The other bells ring 6, 5, 3 and 2 times respectively. I do not know why they do this at ten o'clock.

The photo you shared shows an atmospheric part of the Verwerstroom, a characteristic section of the Binnendieze river in the heart of 's-Hertogenbosch.
A narrow, tranquil waterway winds its way between historic brick buildings. The calm stream reflects the facades and the sky above like a mirror.
Ivy and other rare greenery grow along and on the walls, contrasting beautifully with the robust restored brickwork.
A wooden bridge with black classic metal railings spans the Verwerstroom. On the right-hand side of the bridge is an electrically operated gate.
In the background, a mix of architectural styles: from classic red roof tiles to a modern glass building. This combination emphasises how 's-Hertogenbosch harmoniously interweaves its rich past with contemporary elements.

About the large cathedral bell de Noteman

The heavy bell of the cathedral is called 'the noteman' and is tuned to G0, weighs 5500 kg and has a diameter of 220 cm.
The bell was hung in the church in 1642.
Before that, there was also a bell, but it was destroyed by ringing too loudly for the death of an important person from the city.
At that time, bells were always made next to the church. A mould was placed in a pit in the ground and the bell was cast into it. However, due to the marshy ground, this always failed.
That is why Mr Noteman (as the bell is now called) made the bell in Leeuwarden and transported it to the city by boat.
Because this bell now has a special striking mechanism, it no longer needs to be rung by 16 men, but only by 6.

The text on this large Noteman bell says:
I ring on every holy day
I announce the lamentation of death
I urge divine prayer
But the heart and the voice must go on

Text in old Dutch:
“Ick luyd' op yder Heyl'ghe-Dach” → de klok roept de gelovigen samen bij kerkelijke vieringen.
“Ick maek bekent des Doodts Beklac” → zij klinkt bij uitvaarten en rouw, als teken van afscheid.
“Ick, drun' u 't Godd'lyck Bidden aen” → de klok ondersteunt het gebed en de liturgie.
“Doch, Hert en Stem moet verder gaen” → uiteindelijk ligt de ware devotie niet in het geluid van de klok, maar in het hart en de stem van de gelovigen zelf.

Date/time: December 10, 2025, 9:59 am

Weather: 12 ºc, clouds 100 %, wind SSW 11-27 km/h, 1016 hPa, humidity 89 %, visibility 26 km, dew point 9 ºc, cloud ceiling 5600 m.

Location; Dieze Binnendieze, Verwerstroom, Lombardpad - Klein Lombartje, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch), Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (Holland), Europe. GPS 51.68730 5.30382


Gear chain: Sennheiser mkh30/50 MS, in Rycote cyclone small, windjammer > Tascam FR-AV2. Post editing: Decoded Mid-side to STEREO. EQ correction for the blimp and limiter on -3 dB when necessary.

About the recording setting
Echo of urban sounds that are audible beneath the vaults of the overpass above the water. A microphone hangs above the water of the 'Verwersstroom', a part of the city-river Binnendieze, in the old Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch. This sound recording captures the subtle echoes of city life reverberating beneath the arched bridge vault above the water. Together, the image and sound evoke a layered sensory experience of 's-Hertogenbosch, where history, architecture, and ambient sounds converge in a quiet moment of urban beauty.

About The Binnendieze / Verwerstroom. A Hidden Waterway Through History:
Flowing quietly through the heart of ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Binnendieze is more than just a canal—it’s a living monument to the city’s medieval past. This intricate network of narrow waterways once served as a vital system for defense, drainage, and transport within the city walls. This part of De Binnendieze is called De Verwersstroom. Over centuries, buildings and streets were constructed above it, creating a unique underground river that winds beneath homes, courtyards, and alleyways.

Today, the Binnendieze offers a rare glimpse into the layered history of the city. Restored with care in the late 20th century, it now welcomes visitors on guided boat tours, gliding beneath centuries-old arches and alongside moss-covered walls. As you drift through hidden passages and open stretches, the blend of architecture and nature reveals how ’s-Hertogenbosch has embraced its heritage while preserving its charm.

Here, the water flows beneath the square in front of the Government Building (now the Noord-Brabants Museum) and is approximately 3.2 meters wide at that point. The newly constructed brick archway is 44.25 meters long and dates back to the time of the Government Building’s construction.
More information about De Binnendieze

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