Nobelpoort, Medieval city gate in Zierikzee, Netherlands.
The Nobelpoort is a massive city gate in Zierikzee with thick stone walls and defensive towers that rise roughly 35 meters high. A large arched passage with heavy oak doors forms the main entrance, while the entire structure displays medieval building techniques using Tournai stone and Flemish masonry.
The gate was built in the early 1300s as the northern entrance after the Flemish siege of 1304 threatened the city. Its construction was part of a defensive strategy to protect the town from future attacks.
The gate's name may come from Ghise Nobelsone, a resident from the 1300s, or from an old story about two women named Anna and Maria. This connection to local memory makes it a place where the city holds onto its own past.
The gate is located at Korte Nobelstraat 41 and stands easily visible in the town center. A major restoration in the 1970s strengthened the structure, making it safe and stable for visitors to explore today.
The gate still displays visible remnants of its original portcullis mechanism inside the passage walls. This medieval device could be lowered rapidly to seal the opening and block entry during times of danger.
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