Koppelpoort

The Koppelpoort is one of the best-known medieval monuments in Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, and it is the only gate in the Netherlands that combines a land gate and a water gate in one structure. It was completed around 1425 as part of the second city wall of Amersfoort, which was built between 1380 and 1450, and it stands where the river Eem passes through the old town. It is also a rare survivor of the walled medieval town, since much of the circuit of walls was later demolished or built over.

A combined land and water gate was a practical response to the layout of a river town. Roads entered the town through gates in the walls, and waterways passed through the walls by means of water gates, which could be closed with a portcullis or chains. When a road and a stream crossed the wall at the same place, the two functions could be combined in a single structure, with a passage for traffic beside an arch for boats, and a gatehouse above, from which guards could control both. Such a gate was strong and economical, and it could collect tolls from both road and river traffic. The name Koppelpoort, from the Dutch word for coupling, refers to this combination.

The Koppelpoort needed to be strong. In 1427, soon after it was finished, the town was besieged and an attack on the gate was repelled. The part of the gate built over the Eem is the water gate, and the river could be shut off with a heavy bulkhead. It was lowered by means of a double treadmill, which twelve prisoners operated by treading the steps to turn a windlass, and the treadmill is still in working order.

The best way to see the gate is on foot from the water's edge, where the brick towers, the arched passage over the Eem and their reflection in the river make a picture that appears on many postcards of the city. The exterior can be seen at any time and costs nothing. To see the inside, including the treadmill, you can join a guided tour organised by Gilde Amersfoort, so ask at the tourist office or check the guild's schedule.

The gate sits in the old centre, so it is easy to fit into a walk through the town. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren, known as Lange Jan, the cathedral-like church tower rising above the centre, is a short walk away, and the birthplace of the painter Piet Mondriaan, now a museum, stands on the Kortegracht. The canals, small bridges and brick lanes reward a slow stroll, and cafes along the water are good places to stop.

The gate suits visitors interested in medieval defences, photographers and anyone exploring Amersfoort on foot. Allow twenty minutes for the gate itself, or an hour if you take the guided tour.