Berkelpoort Zutphen, Medieval water gate in Zutphen, Netherlands.
Berkelpoort is a medieval city gate that spans the Berkel River with two towers and features grooves in its walls where portcullises were once installed. The structure is approximately 700 years old and shows clear signs of various restorations that have preserved its form over the centuries.
Built around 1325, the gate connected the old town of Zutphen with a new settlement across the Berkel River. It was later restored multiple times and remains one of the oldest surviving parts of the medieval town's defensive system.
The structure demonstrates medieval Dutch defensive construction methods and incorporates German basalt columns in its foundation. These building choices reflect the trade connections and craftsmanship traditions of that era.
You can explore the gate from the outside and view it from various angles along the river and from nearby bridges. It is regularly maintained, but check ahead to see if guided tours are available or if any interior areas are accessible.
The gate had special murder holes through which defenders could drop hot substances on attackers and escape hatches for retreat during sieges. These hidden escape routes are a fascinating detail of medieval warfare tactics that remain partly visible today.
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