Sassenpoort, Gothic city gate in Zwolle, Netherlands
Sassenpoort is a Gothic city gate in Zwolle with four corner towers, a central spire, and detailed brickwork constructed from trachyte and tuff stone. The structure displays carefully crafted architectural details across its facade and forms part of the medieval town wall system.
The gate was built in 1409 as part of Zwolle's medieval fortifications and was equipped with defensive features. It included openings for dropping boiling liquids on attackers, a common defense tactic of that era.
The gate stands today as a recognizable landmark that embodies Zwolle's medieval past for visitors and residents alike. It shapes how people experience the historic city center and serves as a visual reference point when exploring the area on foot.
The gate is easily reached on foot from Zwolle Central Station by walking about 10 minutes through the city center and following signs to Sassenstraat. The best views come from street level where you can see the entire facade and towers from various angles.
Between 1898 and 1980 the Overijssel provincial government used the interior as an archive for historical documents. This unusual purpose protected important local records within the thick stone walls of a medieval defensive structure.
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