Historic Tiel mural brings city's green past to life on Agnietenhof bell tower
Residents of Tiel can soon admire a vibrant mural depicting the city's rich history through plants and fruits. The artwork, chosen by locals, transforms the Agnietenhof bell tower into a cultural landmark, with progress visible via livestream.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Project | Mural 'De Tielse geschiedenis in Groen' on Agnietenhof bell tower |
| Artist | JanisdeMan (known for 3D murals in Utrecht and European cities) |
| Designer | Gert de Graaff (inspired by Betuwe’s historical flora and fruits) |
| Votes for Design | 1,227 total votes; winning design received 662 votes (54% majority) |
| Timeline | Work started March 2026; expected completion mid-April 2026 |
| Wildlife Consideration | Work may pause if protected swifts return early for breeding season |
| Livestream | Follow progress here |
The Municipality of Tiel is responsible for cultural development and public space enhancement within the city. This project reflects its role in fostering local identity and community engagement through art and heritage initiatives.
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Work on mural painting started
The work on the Agnietenhof's bell tower has officially begun. In the coming weeks, the blind wall will receive an impressive makeover with the mural 'De Tielse geschiedenis in Groen'.
"We have been in close contact with the artist in recent times, to see when we can start. The coming period will have good weather, so this is the moment to start painting," according to alderman Dave Verbeek. "With this mural, we give the bell tower a completely new face: a work of art that lets the Tielse history speak on the cultural heart of the city. And chosen by our own residents!"
Tielse geschiedenis in groen
The Tiel municipal council adopted a motion at the end of 2023 to realize a mural on the Agnietenhof. At the beginning of 2025, residents of the municipality had the chance to vote on their favorite design. A total of 1227 votes were cast. The chosen design emerged convincingly as the winner with 662 votes, an absolute majority of 54%.
This winning design, named ‘De Tielse geschiedenis in groen’, was created by Gert de Graaff. He was inspired by plants and fruits that historically play an important role in the Betuwe.
Artist Gert de Graaf holds his design at the bell tower.
Impressive 3D painting
The artist in question is JanisdeMan. He is known for his large 3D murals that he painted in his own Utrecht, but also in many other European cities.
"I start with a base layer," the artist sketches the process. "On that, I scribble all kinds of pictures, numbers and figures. That looks a bit weird, but that becomes my reference frame. That way, the right objects end up in the right place." It is expected to take 4 to 5 weeks to complete the artwork. "That goes from rough to increasingly detailed."
Swift
The plan is that the artwork will be ready by mid-April. However, during the execution we take into account the presence of swifts. "There is a real chance that the swifts will return during this period and possibly breed in the facade," the alderman explains. "They usually arrive later in the spring, but if they unexpectedly return earlier, we will take a painting break." The swift is a protected species and must not be disturbed. "In that case, the artist will finish the painting in the fall. That may be a bit less practical, but we can enjoy it for a long time afterwards!"
Livestream
Cultural company Tiel has also started a livestream where you can follow the progress of the work.