Origin
The building was erected as a defense structure at the entrance to the Oude Haven, and was originally on the Westfriese Omringdijk; this ran from the north via the Breedstraat along the Zuiderdijk. The stretch of dike near the Drommedaris was later excavated for the construction of the Buitenhaven. The artillery cellar and the space on the ground floor date from 1540 and were the original structure. Both rooms contain cannon holes along the walls in niches where there were cannons that could cover the harbors. The upper space has a rib vault. Above the building on the roof was a structure containing prison cells that can still be found on the first floor in the current building. Above the gate is a cell for those condemned to death, in which oak wooded dates and sometimes poems are carved. Outside above the entrance to this gate, the weapon of the Emperor was carved in white stone with the text beneath it: "Blessed is the City, and high praised, who prays for war in times of peace." A loud bell hung in a wooden belfry on the roof to announce the closing of the gate.
The old name of the building is Zuiderpoort or Ketenpoort and later Wilgenburg (for the stronghold to which the tower belonged). The name Ketenpoort refers to the salt chain south of the city along the Zuiderdijk, which could be reached via this gate. Here seawater was evaporated to obtain the salt that herring was preserved with. The name Drommedaris or Domburg was used in the 19th century.
Drawbridge
In front of the Drommedaris is a white drawbridge (national monument) that was narrowed around 1900. (see the brown photos in the gallery where the wide bridge is still partly) The drawbridge gives the ships access to the Oude Haven between the Paktuinen and the Dijk.