Utrechtse Poort

The Utrechtse Poort is a military gate in Naarden with stone archways, guardhouses, and two flanking towers with firing positions. The structure connects the inner fortress area with the outer surroundings and contains underground chambers for military use.

The gate was built in 1877 by architect Jacobus van Lokhorst as a replacement for an older structure from the 1680s. It was part of a larger defensive system designed to protect the city across generations.

The structure shows Dutch military engineering with cannon storage areas and defensive works designed by 19th-century engineers. These features give visitors a sense of how soldiers approached fortress design and protection.

The passage is now open only to pedestrians and cyclists as it passes through the fortress line. Visitors should note that the archway has low clearance, so large items or wide structures cannot pass through.

From 1881 to 1939, steam tram tracks ran through the gate connecting Amsterdam to the Gooi region. This line, nicknamed the Gooise Moordenaar, was a remarkable link between the city and surrounding countryside.

Location: Gooise Meren

Inception: 1877

Architects: Jacobus van Lokhorst

Part of: Vesting Naarden

Address: Ruijsdaelplein tegenover 29

GPS coordinates: 52.29425,5.16587

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:42