Sabelspoort, Medieval city gate in Arnhem, Netherlands
Sabelspoort is a square gatehouse with two round stone towers topped by a classical facade built in 1642. It stands at Markt 12 in Arnhem and forms part of the Provincial House of Gelderland complex.
First recorded in 1357, this gate was part of Arnhem's city defenses and the medieval fortification system. Later it served as a prison facility holding both criminal offenders and people with mental illness before becoming an administrative building.
The name comes from the old Dutch word 'savel', meaning sand, which references a former sandbank in the nearby Rhine river. The solid stone structure still visible today reflects this historical connection to the landscape.
The gate is centrally located in Arnhem and easily accessible on foot from the main square. The exterior structure is viewable from the street, though the interior may have restricted access as it functions as part of an administrative office.
Of the four original city gates that once protected Arnhem, only the Sabelspoort survives and remains visible today. This rarity makes it a valuable witness to the medieval fortification system that once surrounded the entire city.
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