Waterpoort, Baroque city gate in Antwerpen, Belgium

Waterpoort is a free-standing gate of light grey stone, rectangular and roughly symmetrical, with a large round archway framed by a raised segmental pediment. Above the arch sits a sculpted group of figures around a central shield, and four red-framed rectangular windows are set two on each side of the upper facade. Two smaller openings flank the arch below, and a flat cornice caps the structure.

Erected in 1624 as an honorary arch for King Philip IV of Spain, the Waterpoort also served as a water gate in the city wall, letting boats pass between the Scheldt and the Vlasmarkt. Its design is attributed to Rubens without documentary proof, while the sculptors Hubrecht van den Eynde and Hans van Mildert are documented. Moved to the Sint-Jansvliet in the 1880s and again in 1933, it was rebuilt in 1936 on the Gillisplaats at the Zuiderdokken.

The gate is also called Porta Regia and Coninckxpoort, and was known as the Maaigat or Maeyersgat because a statue of Mary stood here. Inscriptions on both sides record its double role as river passage and honorary arch for King Philip IV. The sculpted group above the arch shows figures around a central shield.

The gate stands on Gillisplaats at the Zuiderdokken in the Zuid district, south of the historic centre. It is a free-standing open-air monument, so there are no opening hours; the carved coat of arms and the "ANNO MDCXXII" inscriptions are easiest to read in daylight. The site is level and can be reached on foot from the centre.

The gate's nickname, 'the wandering gate', comes from its two relocations: from the Vlasmarkt to the Sint-Jansvliet in the 1880s, then to the Gillisplaats in 1936 when the Sint-Anna pedestrian tunnel entrance was built. Look for the inscriptions 'ANNO' and 'MDCXXII' on the facade, marking the year 1624.