Step back in time and be captivated by the fascinating history of Zierikzee on a guided walking tour. Discover the hidden treasures of this ancient trading city as you stroll past impressive monuments such as the North and South Harbor Gates, the majestic old town hall, and the mysterious Gravensteen.
Begin your tour at the Zuidhavenpoort, the southern harbor gate. Walk past the old town hall and the Gravensteen, a former residence of the count and prison. Admire the Nieuwe Kerk and the imposing Dikke Toren as you learn more about life in the Middle Ages.
Hear how Zierikzee was first mentioned in 976 and likely received its first city rights in 1219, which were expanded in 1248. By the end of the Middle Ages, Zierikzee was an important trading place due to its favorable location on the Oosterschelde. Major export products included salt, cloth, madder, and herring.
Learn how Zierikzee lost its important position due to factors such as huge city fires, diseases, and the silting of the waters. Discover how, due to a lack of money to renovate the city, Zierikzee has retained its beautiful old town with numerous monuments that are well worth seeing.
Discover the secrets of the Noordhaven Gate on a guided tour in Zierikzee. Learn about the city's history, explore hidden spaces, and hear stories of trade, war, and power.
Step through the centuries-old gates of Zierikzee and discover a place where trade, war, power, and fascinating stories come together.
Standing at the edge of the historic harbor is the impressive Noordhaven Gate, one of the three remaining city gates of Zierikzee. Together with the Zuidhaven Gate, it forms a unique medieval double-gate complex. What may look like one imposing gate from the outside reveals itself to be a surprisingly complex structure once you step inside.
The Noordhaven Gate was much more than an entrance. Guards and soldiers were stationed here, traffic was monitored, and people and goods entering the city could be inspected. Small rooms inside the gate were also used for temporary detention.
Anyone arriving after the city gates had closed, causing trouble, being drunk, or suspected of a minor offense could find themselves spending the night here. No comfortable hotel room—just cold stone walls and a heavy door.
Even the shape of the passage tells a story. The passageway bends, making it difficult for an enemy to fire a projectile directly into the city. It was a clever defensive solution and a reminder of just how carefully medieval engineers thought about protecting Zierikzee.
