Blauwe Toren

Blauwe Toren was a circular stone fortress in Gorinchem featuring a massive central tower as its core structure. The building contained underground vaulted chambers beneath the main tower and defensive walls surrounding the complex.

Construction took place between 1461 and 1478 under the rule of Karel van Charolais during a period of territorial consolidation. The fortress was eventually demolished in 1578 as military technology and defensive needs evolved.

The name comes from the blue hardstone cladding that once covered the main tower, making the fortress visually distinctive from other local buildings. This coloring gave the structure an unusual appearance that residents and travelers could easily recognize.

The fortress once stood at the intersection of several streets near the Merwede River in the city center. Today only archaeological remains and original foundations are visible at the site, as the main structure no longer exists.

Excavations in 1983 revealed the original foundations still buried beneath the city streets during modern construction work. Workers had to use specialized drilling equipment to place new foundations without damaging what remained of the historic site.