Dordrecht Groothoofdspoort from the Groothoofd side by Hendrik-Jan Kornelis

About "Dordrecht Groothoofdspoort from the Groothoofd side"

by Hendrik-Jan Kornelis

About the artwork

The Groothoofdspoort is a still existing city gate of Dordrecht, in the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland. The gate is located at the point where the three rivers, the Oude Maas, the Merwede and the Noord come together.

Cornelis Pronk (1691-1759) noted on a drawing by Paulus van Liender (1731-1797) of the Groothoofd: "De Groote Hoofd Poort te Dordt".

Building archaeological research has shown that the core of the gate originated in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. This can be seen in the gateway. The vaults, although completely rebuilt during the thorough restoration in the seventies, are of Gothic origin. During the rebuilding of 1618 the gate got a renaissance look. In 1692 the roof was replaced by the current dome.

Above the passageway, the Maeght van Dordrecht can be seen. The front gate in Louis XV style on the river side dates from the 18th century and replaced an older front gate.

The virgin is seated in a garden (enclosure, which on the one hand symbolises her unmarried state, but on the other refers to the impregnability of the city of Dordrecht, because it is surrounded by water). In one hand she holds the coat of arms of Dordrecht and in the other a palm branch. Around her, coats of arms of Dutch cities that were related to Dordrecht are depicted.

Since 1 April 2010, the gate is part of Bellevue Groothoofd hotel culinary.