Binnenpoort

The Binnenpoort is one of the oldest surviving monuments of Culemborg, a small fortified town on the south bank of the Lek in the province of Gelderland. The name means inner gate, and it identifies the gate as part of the town's medieval defensive circuit, the point where traffic passed between the town centre and the outer ring of walls and moats. Culemborg received its town rights in the early fourteenth century, and the gate belongs to the late-medieval period when the town was walled in brick and ruled by its own counts.

Like many Dutch gates, it was built for both defence and control. A gate of this type had a narrow arched passage that could be closed with heavy doors and a portcullis, flanking towers or turrets for guards, and rooms above the passage where officials could watch the road. Toll collectors checked goods and travellers, and the gate was shut at night. The red brick and the stepped or pointed details are typical of the Low Countries, and the structure has been restored over time to keep it in good condition.

Today the Binnenpoort is a landmark and a favourite subject for photographers. It is freely visible at any hour, and since the gate is not normally open to enter, most visitors admire it from outside and walk through the arch into the old centre. Beyond it lie cobbled lanes, historic houses and small squares, with cafes and shops tucked between the gabled facades.

Culemborg has more to see than its gate. The Elisabeth Weeshuis Museum, housed in a former orphanage, shows what life was like for orphans in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and the town's synagogue recalls the Jewish community that once lived here. Along the Lek, the dykes and river meadows offer walks and cycling routes, and the town's ring of old fortifications can be followed on foot.

A visit to the gate takes only a few minutes, but it fits well into a longer walk around Culemborg, which can easily fill a pleasant afternoon. The town suits history enthusiasts, cyclists and photographers. It is reachable by train from Utrecht, and the station is a short distance from the old centre, so a car is not needed. Spring and autumn give soft light on the brickwork and quieter streets.