Koppelpoort, Medieval city gate in Amersfoort, Netherlands
Koppelpoort is a 14th-century gate with walls and towers that provided entry to the city by both land and water routes. The structure contains preserved treadmills and a lock mechanism that controlled the passage of boats and people into the city.
Construction began in 1380 as part of Amersfoort's second defensive wall. The gate was completed around 1425 and served the city for centuries as a fortified checkpoint and control point.
The gate's wheel-operating team performed a coordinated daily routine to manage both entry and water flow through the city. This synchronized work was essential to how the medieval port functioned.
The gate sits within walking distance of the city center and is easily reached along the old fortification paths. The site is open during daylight and provides views of the walls and river.
The treadmills inside required precise coordination between operators working at the same time. A single misstep or timing error could cause serious injury, making this one of the more hazardous jobs in the medieval city.
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