Nederland - Maastricht, Helpoort

The Helpoort (Hell’s Gate) - also known as Jekerpoort, Hoogbruggepoort, Alde Poort op den Ancker, Kruittorenpoort or De Twee Towers - is part of the original medieval city wall. Hendrik I, Duke of Brabant - gave permission for its construction in 1229. For about two centuries, the gate was part of the city's actual fortifications. It lost this function when the Nieuwstad (New City), the area south of the gate, was surrounded by a wall in the second half of the 15th century.

The Helpoort - a Dutch national monument - is the only remaining city gate in Maastricht and the oldest city gate in the Netherlands. The sandstone towers are more than 14 meters high (when included with the towers the height rises above 20 meters). Through the gate one reaches the Sint Bernardusstraat, lined with many monumental buildings (PiP2).