Grendeltor, Medieval water gate at Limmat River, Zürich, Switzerland
The Grendeltor was a medieval water gate positioned at the northern end of the current Bellevue area, regulating ship movement between Lake Zürich and the Limmat River. The structure featured a spiked barrier beam that operated with the water current each morning to manage traffic flow.
The water gate was built around 1445 as part of Zürich's third fortification ring. After the city dismantled its defense barriers in 1834, the gate was demolished two years later in 1836.
The gate served as a checkpoint where officials collected fees from passing boats using a rope and bucket system. This daily routine shaped how merchant vessels operated on the waterway and underscored the importance of water traffic to the city.
The former location lies at the start of Utoquai, between number 2a and Limmatquai 6 in central Zürich. The spot is easily accessible on foot and offers a clear view of the waterfront where the gate once stood.
The gate stood as the sole fortified water entry point on Zürich's waterways for centuries before its removal. This solitary role made it a crucial bottleneck for all boat traffic and goods movement through the city's water system.
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