Koepoort Enkhuizen by Costas Ganasos

About "Koepoort Enkhuizen"

by Costas Ganasos

About the artwork

The Koepoort or Westerpoort is a city gate in Enkhuizen. The gate was the western entrance gate to the city of Enkhuizen for centuries and is part of the city's fortifications. Between 1590 and 1593, Enkhuizen expanded inland, i.e. to the west. An earthen wall was built with a new defensive moat and seven bastions. A wooden gate and a drawbridge were built where the Koepoort now stands. Half a century later, they wanted to replace the wooden gate with a stone gatehouse. The building plan was probably drawn by Jacob van Campen. In 1649, the first stone was laid, but it soon turned out that the Bentheimer sandstone for the construction could not be supplied. In 1654, the gate was finished provisionally. It was already a gate through which traffic passed. Due to the construction of the Hoorn - Enkhuizen to Hoorn road, which was completed in 1671, much of the incoming traffic passed through the Koepoort. However, the gate was not maintained and fell into disrepair. In 1730, the gate was repaired and fitted with a cupola. In 1793, a clock with a striking bell was installed in the dome. This tower clock was demolished around 1940 and replaced by an electric one made by J.H. Addicks tower clock factory in Amsterdam. The wrought-iron clock was still in the attic of the building for many years but suddenly disappeared. This clockwork had a special escapement by means of a spindle or spoon movement. It may now be present in