The Koppelpoort

The Koppelpoort is a medieval gate in Amersfoort that combines a land gate and a water gate in a single structure, and it is one of the best-known monuments in the city. It was built in the early fifteenth century as part of the outer ring of the city's defences, the second city wall, and it controlled movement along a road and a river at the same point. The name refers to the coupling of the two functions, a land gate for people and carts and a water gate for boats, in one building.

The gate stands at a point where the river Eem, canalised as it passes through the city, enters the old centre. A bridge carries the road over the water, and the gatehouse has turrets, a steep roof and thick brick walls, with a fine view from the surrounding embankment. A wall runs out to either side, and the whole forms a picturesque ensemble, especially in the evening when it is lit and reflected in the water. The gate has been restored several times, and it is a good example of how medieval fortifications were designed to protect a prosperous trading town.

Amersfoort was once surrounded by two walls, the inner and the outer, and most of the later wall was demolished in the nineteenth century when cities began to expand. The Koppelpoort and a few other sections survived, which makes them especially valuable. Fragments of the inner wall are found elsewhere in the old town, and a walk around the old canals shows how the defences, water and housing interlocked.

The gate is free to see from the outside, and the surrounding area is among the most pleasant in the centre. There are paths along the water, cafes nearby and a view toward the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren in the distance. Boat tours on the canal pass through the water gate, giving a view of the underside of the structure and the thickness of its walls, and they are a good way to appreciate the engineering.

The Koppelpoort suits photographers, history lovers and anyone strolling through Amersfoort. It is a short walk from the Muurhuizen, the Mondriaanhuis and Museum Flehite. Visit at sunset or in the evening, and check boat tour schedules in the season.