Grendelpoort, Medieval city gate in Valkenburg, Netherlands.
Grendelpoort is a limestone gate structure in Valkenburg featuring a central passageway and a bronze statue of a gatekeeper on its outer wall. It connects Grendelplein square to the old town center via Muntstraat and shows the architectural style of medieval city fortifications.
The gate was built around 1335 following a siege by Duke Jan III of Brabant and formed part of the city defenses. Its construction reflected major shifts in how the town managed its fortifications and strategic control.
The name comes from the nearby Grendelput well and the locking mechanism that once secured the medieval town entrance. Visitors can still sense this connection between water management and defense when walking through the structure today.
The gate is centrally located in the old town and easy to reach on foot as part of exploring the area. The spot is well-suited for walking and provides a natural passage between different parts of the town center.
This location marks where the Netherlands' first recorded fatal automobile accident took place in 1901 near the gate. The incident represents an important turning point in the early history of car travel and public safety in the country.
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