Ezelpoort, Medieval city gate in Bruges, Belgium
The Ezelpoort is a medieval gate in Bruges with two circular towers connected by a rectangular section spanning the waterway. The structure appears solid and symmetrical, built from brick and surrounded entirely by water.
The gate was built in 1297 as part of the second defensive walls protecting the city and controlling commerce routes. It served as a fortified checkpoint for traders and travelers moving goods beyond the urban center.
The gate, named after donkeys that carried goods through its passage, now houses the administrative office of Anima Eterna orchestra point.
The gate is easily visible and accessible from the surrounding canal network, perfect for exploring on foot or by bicycle. The location sits centrally in the old town and serves as a natural stopping point when moving through medieval neighborhoods.
The gate sits completely surrounded by water, standing isolated in the canal and visibly different from other medieval city gates. This unusual setting makes it one of the most distinctive water-based structures in the city.
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