The Stratemakerstoren is one of the few surviving towers from Nijmegen's 16th-century city wall, a chunky bastion of brick and stone that sits on the Waalkade at the edge of the old harbour district. Its name comes from the road-pavers (stratenmakers) who historically worked in the area. The tower was built around 1544 as part of a major strengthening of the city's defences and is the most visible remnant of the medieval fortifications.
Today the tower functions as a small venue and cultural space, occasionally open for events. More importantly, it anchors the Waalkade as an architectural landmark and makes a good reference point for the cluster of sights along the river. The area around the base — the Kronenburgsingel park on one side, the café terraces of the Waalkade on the other — is pleasant to walk through even if the tower itself is closed.