This Veerpoort dates from 1602. It is the only remaining gate in the city: originally, Schoonhoven still had four gates. The Veerpoort is part of the water barrier; at high tide the gate is closed with wooden doors. A memorial in the gate shows how high the water was during the flood disaster of 1953. The Veerpoort owes its name to the ferry connection between Schoonhoven and Gelkenes, which lies across the river Lek. Together, these two places formed the 'castle' on the river Lek within the framework of the Oude Hollandse waterlinie (Old Dutch Waterline). This line was necessary to protect Hollland. The great prosperity in the Golden Age caused a lot of international resistance, which led to the disaster year 1672.

The Veerpoort
Wal 3
2871 BA
Schoonhoven
Contact details
E: info@krimpenerwaard.nl