Enkhuizen, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Zuiderpoort of Drommedaris
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South Gate or Drommedaris
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 2026
1. Zuiderpoort of Drommedaris / South Gate or Drommedaris Marker
Omstreeks 1540 gebouwd ter verdediging van de haventoegangen. De toren is in 1649-1659 opgetrokken tot de tegenwoordige hoogte. In de 18de eeuw kreeg de poort de naam De Drommedaris. Na 1659 is het gebouw in gebruik geweest als wachtkazerne, gevangenis, accijnskantoor, spinnerij, weverij en telegraafkantoor. Vanaf 1958 is de Drommedaris een cultureel centrum. Het carillon dateert van 1677 en is vervaardigd door Pieter Hemony en bestaat thans uit 44 klokken.
Zuiderpoort or Drommedaris
Built around 1540 to defend the harbor entrances. The tower was raised to its current height between 1649 and 1659. In the 18th century, the gate acquired the name 'De Drommedaris'. Since 1659, the building has served as a guard barracks, prison, excise office, spinning mill, weaving mill, and telegraph office. The Drommedaris has functioned as a cultural center since 1958. The carillon dates from 1677, was crafted by Pieter Hemony, and currently consists of 44 bells.
Erected by Gemeente Enkhuizen, ANWB. (Marker Number 17062/006.)
Topics. This historical marker is
this page online
Location. 52° 42.048′ N, 5° 17.582′ E. Marker is in Enkhuizen, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is on Paktuinen. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Paktuinen 1, Enkhuizen, Noord-Holland 1601 GD, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Enkhuizen Harbor Bombardment Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sint Janstraat 9 (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Synagoge / Synagogue (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Vermaning (Doopsgezinde kerk) / Vermaning (Mennonite Church) (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Pancras- of Zuidertoren / St. Pancras- or Southern Tower (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Stadhuis / Town Hall (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Gevangenis / Prison
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 2026
2. Zuiderpoort of Drommedaris / South Gate or Drommedaris Marker - wide view
The marker is located on the north (or city) side of the building.
Also see . . . Drommedaris (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The building was erected as a defense work at the entrance to the Old Harbor, and was originally on the Westfriesian dike; this ran from the north; over the Breedstraat along to the Zuiderdijk. The stretch of dike near the Drommedaris was later excavated for the construction of the new haven. The artillery cellar and the room on the ground floor in the building date from 1540 and were the original building. Both rooms contain cannon holes along the walls in niches where there were cannons that could cover the harbors. The upper room 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. So the bottom of the first floor was the roof of the original 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(Submitted on September 19, 2026.)was carved out of white stone with the text below: "Blessed is the City and highly praised, who prays for war in times of peace." In a wooden bell chair on the roof a small bell hung to ring for announce of closing the gate.By Gerrard Drukker (courtesy Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed via Wikimedia Commons CC4.0), 20053. Drommedaris and marker - wider viewNote that the marker visible here just to the right of the red door is likelier an earlier version of this marker, based on the color difference.
The old name of the building is Zuiderpoort or Ketenpoort and later also Wilgenburg (for the stronghold to which the tower belonged). The name Ketenpoort refers to the salt works (zoutketen) south of the city along the Zuiderdijk, which could be reached via this gate. There seawater from the North sea was evaporated to obtain the salt where herring was preserved with. The name Drommedaris or Domburg was first used in the 19th century.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 2026
4. The Drommedaris - south (or harbor) side
J. Schaefer, Amsterdam (courtesy Trinity College, Watkinson Library), circa 1907
5. Harbor view with Drommedaris
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 19, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
