Vischpoort, City gate and lighthouse in Harderwijk, Netherlands.
Vischpoort is a rectangular city gate with a central passageway and topped by a white lighthouse tower, with small cottages flanking both sides. Inside, it now houses the Herderewich historical society and displays about the area's maritime past.
Built in the late 1300s as Lage Bruggepoort, it served as one of two seaside gates protecting the city from maritime attacks. A lighthouse was added to the roof in 1851 and operated until 1947, when it was decommissioned.
The name Fish Gate points to Harderwijk's past as a busy port on the Zuiderzee, where fishing and trade formed the heart of daily life for centuries.
The structure is easily visible and accessible from both the waterfront and the street, with free access to the exterior and pedestrian passage through it. The best time to visit is during daylight, especially in good weather, so you can see the architectural details and the lighthouse tower clearly.
The lighthouse beam is lit only for special celebrations today, giving the gate a rare moment of its original purpose. This occasional use keeps a connection to the port's working past and shows the structure is more than just a museum piece.
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