Nekkerspoelpoort
Until 1812, another gate, Nekkerspoelpoort, stood at the end of Keizerstraat. Two of its storeys were demolished in the 17th century and replaced by a single brick structure, thereby radically altering its appearance.
Trade played an important role here, just as it did with the other gates. Not only did Nekkerspoelpoort connect the city with the main road to Heist-op-den-Berg and the Kempen region (its other name Diestsepoort references this) and serve as a toll house collecting money from traders, but it was also a marketplace. Herrings, for instance, could only be sold here and in Sint-Katelijnepoort.
View of Nekkerspoelpoort from outside the city in 1578. © www.regionalebeeldbank.be
The appearance of the gates changed over the years. Here a winter view of Nekkerspoelpoort from outside the city, 1808 © www.regionalebeeldbank.be
