The Gevangenpoort is the only preserved medieval city gate of Bergen op Zoom. It is even one of the oldest existing city gates in the Netherlands.
The gate was built around 1350 as part of a stone fortress wall with a moat. By expanding the fortress in 1484, the gate was located within the walls of the city. As a result, it loses its function as a gateway and defense structure. In the meantime, the gate has been a prison for some time, which means it has been spared demolition. The gate was still used as a prison until about 1925.
In 2015, the Prison Gate was restored and redesigned, so that the stories of the gate and its residents can be experienced even better. Since July 2015, the Gevangenpoort has also been an outpost of the Markiezenhof city palace and museum. The Gevangenpoort (including the escape game Escape the Gate) and the Markiezenhof are both part of the Bergen op Zoom Cultural Company. The Bergen op Zoom Cultural Company falls under the municipal organization of Bergen op Zoom.
If you want to know and especially see more about the restoration of the Prison Gate: take a look at the website of Weyts Architecten where there is a nice portfolio with photos and background information about the entire process of this restoration!