Eyes of Abester

The Eyes of Abester are the iconic eyebrow dormers on the roofs of Abester's houses. Abester lies in Brun-South, one of the provinces of Doggerland, which was formerly part, along with Brun-Nord, Brunland. The eyes, which are a symbol and a tourist attraction of the city, have given Abester the nicknames of The City with Eyes, The City where Houses Don't Sleep and the portmanteau Abeester. They vary in shape, most of them are trapezoid shaped, others having rounded or elongated forms.

In Dutch, they are called Ogen van Zichonthouden, while in Doggish they are called Eagen fan Unthâlde.

History
Although the eyes originate from as early as the 14th century, most of them were built around the 17th to 19th centuries. They were most likely invented by an Abester local, because they are widespread in the city and its surroundings. They are an element of the Baroque architecture. Some of them were built even as late as the 20th century, most recently in 1952, after Abester was under the Constitutional monarchic Kingdom of Doggerland.

Purpose
There are legends, according to which the eyes were built to frighten the people, making them believe they are being watched.

Their real purpose was to act as a ventilation system for the houses' attics. Nowadays, the eyes have become one of Abester's most famous symbols, making them a tourist attraction.

In 2017, the eyes became symbol of Doggerland's anti-corruption fight, being used by the organization We see you from Abester ("Wy sjogge jo fan Abester" in Doggish).

Spread
Apart from Abester itself, the eyes have also been built in the city's surroundings. Most of them are found in the city of Abester but some of them are also found in another city in Brun-South, Tweldem and in the capital city of Doggerland and Brun-Nord, Port Nandels.

Additionally, some examples which are probably unrelated can also be found in the city of Mistlân in the far south of Doggerland. Similar eyebrow dormers can also be found on traditional rural Doggerland houses in the province of Bloca.