The Havenkanaal and the Nieuwe Haven outside the gate complex (North and South Harbor Gate) were dug in 1597-1599. Because the Gouwe, from the Zuidhavenpoort and Noordhavenpoort via the Sas to the Dijkwater, silted up and therefore became virtually inaccessible for ships, a new waterway was dug to the city. The city canal (now the Nieuwe Haven) was widened and provided with a quay wall as a mooring place for ships. The official opening took place on March 13, 1599.
The Old Port, which is directly connected to the New Port and the Port Canal (to the Oosterschelde), is a real tidal port where the difference in water level varies from 3 to 3.5 meters.
Historical interpretation in a nutshell:
The quay walls, neglected during the French period, were restored in 1815/1816. The high costs associated with maintenance, but especially the fact that the Oude Haven was used less and less, were the reason to close the Schuithaven, part of the Swimming Harbor located to the north and the Oude Haven from the Mole in 1871 and 1872. until just past the Vrijpoortje. This created Havenplein. The plan to also fill the part up to the first wooden bridge at Kraanplein was rejected in the municipal council by one vote. In 1891, the remaining part of the Oude Haven up to Kraanplein was filled in, allowing the Havenpark to be constructed. The wooden drawbridge had already been demolished before, around 1890. Old postcards usually show an almost empty Old Port. The First World War is an exception. At that time, ships belonging to Flemish fishermen who had fled the violence of war were moored here. In the 1950s, houseboats were moored in the Old Harbor. The last houseboat disappeared in 1990.
In 1989/1990 a large part of the sludge was dredged away. In 1992, the floating Museum Harbor was opened in the old port. The Old Port is now furnished with a number of historic ships. With both port gates in the background, this part of the port has been brought back to life to the delight of many. This makes it clear that Zierikzee also has sailing monuments.
The museum harbor has become a beautiful floating museum. Ships that have been restored or still need to be restored, but also historical 'passers-by' moor here. This gives the Zierikzee museum a different view every time.