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Maastricht

Helpoort (Maastricht City Gate)

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Places to see

Netherlands

Limburg

Maastricht

Helpoort (Maastricht City Gate)

Recommended by 657 hikers out of 673

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Location: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

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Best Hikes to Helpoort (Maastricht City Gate)

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1. Bemelerberg Cave – Marl Cliff Along the Geul loop from Amby

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2. ENCI Quarry – ENCI Quarry Viewpoint loop from De Karosseer

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3. Basilica of Saint Servatius – Vrijthof Square loop from Mariaberg

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Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

May 25, 2022

The Helpoort is part of the first city wall, which was built after Henry I, Duke of Brabant, gave permission in April 1229. It is the only city gate still present in Maastricht and also the oldest city gate in the Netherlands. The gate has been in use as a defense for about two centuries. It lost this function when the Nieuwstad, the area south of the gate, was surrounded by walls (2nd half of the 15th century). After that time, the gate was used for various purposes: meeting place of the cloth riders or fullers, harness house, powder magazine and home.

Source: Visitmaastricht.nl/locations - helpoort

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PeterH65 (a.k.a. "Waldorf")

May 16, 2018

An impressive historical landmark in Maastricht is the Helpoort, a medieval city gate. This gate offers an atmospheric entrance to the romantic old town. In the surrounding parks and on the banks of the Jeker you can take beautiful walks.

The Helpoort was built in 1229 and thus this fortified city gate is the oldest in the Netherlands. The gate is based on a floor plan of 7 x 9 m and is directly enclosed in the still preserved city wall. It is also known by the name Jeker Tor, an allusion to the location near the river Jeker. Through the Helpoort you enter the picturesque Jekerkwartier, which has preserved its medieval charm to this day.

The Helpoort owes its construction to the Duke of Brabant, who gave the citizens of Maastricht 1229 permission to protect their city with a city wall. The gate was first mentioned in writing under the name "Hoch Bruggepoort" in a letter of the year 1358. In the 18th century the name Höllentor came on, perhaps an allusion to the very defiant appearance of this city gate or possibly its on since 17 Century handed down function as a powder magazine. Since the construction of the second city wall in 1350, the Helpoort or the entire first wall actually only served as a reserve wall.

There is an exhibition inside the Helpoorts, which is usually open from spring to autumn. Here you can learn more about the history of the city of Maastricht and its medieval fortifications. Today the Helpoort is the only surviving medieval city gate in Maastricht, as the rest were demolished between 1867 and 1874.

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Bumble-Bee

November 6, 2018

During opening hours, volunteers explain the history of the fortifications for a small fee.

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Elevation 50 m

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Friday 26 September

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Take Me There

Location: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

Helpoort (Maastricht City Gate)

1. Bemelerberg Cave – Marl Cliff Along the Geul loop from Amby

2. ENCI Quarry – ENCI Quarry Viewpoint loop from De Karosseer

3. Basilica of Saint Servatius – Vrijthof Square loop from Mariaberg

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