Poertoren, Medieval gunpowder tower at Minnewater, Bruges, Belgium.
The Poertoren is a gunpowder tower standing next to the Minnewater bridge in Bruges, built with thick stone walls and medieval defensive architectural features. The structure was part of the city's fortification system and originally served to protect the settlement from attacks.
The tower was built between 1398 and 1401 by master mason Jan Van Oudenaarde as part of Bruges' medieval fortification system. In 1785 it lost its military purpose and was converted into an ice storage facility.
The tower shows how Bruges adapted its structures over time: from military defense to practical storage for ice in warmer months. This shift reveals how the city responded to different needs across centuries.
The tower sits beside the Minnewater bridge and serves as a good starting point for a walk along the former city fortifications. From here you can explore the historic paths of the old walls and discover the Minnewater area.
During restoration in 1991, the original medieval masonry techniques were carefully preserved while the structure was adapted for modern conservation standards. This showed a rare approach of balancing historical craftsmanship with contemporary preservation methods.
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