Gevangenpoort, Medieval city gate in Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands.
Gevangenpoort is a medieval city gate in Bergen op Zoom featuring two solid limestone towers linked by a central archway with arrow slits. The dual towers frame a stone passage that once controlled entry to the city during the medieval period.
Built around 1335 as a city entrance, the gate was repurposed as a prison around 1485 when harbor fortifications changed the city layout. This shift from gateway to lockup marked a significant change in its function.
Prisoners carved messages and drawings into the wooden surfaces during their time confined here, creating a personal record that spans centuries. These marks reveal how people coped with captivity and what mattered to them during their detention.
Access to the gate is seasonal, so checking opening times beforehand is useful before planning your visit. Guided tours are regularly offered and provide a closer look at the interior spaces and their historical details.
The site now features an escape room where visitors solve puzzles connected to centuries of stories trapped within these walls. This interactive experience blends entertainment with the exploration of the gate's layered past.
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