| Groothoofdspoort | |
|---|---|
 Groothoofdspoort, with Dordrecht's maiden relief | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | City Gate |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| Location | Dordrecht |
| Address | Boomstraat 39, 3300AA Dordrecht |
| Coordinates | 51°49′10″N4°40′13″E / 51.81944°N 4.67028°E /51.81944; 4.67028 |
| Completed | 15th century (facades 1618, tower 1692) |
| Renovated | 1975 |
TheGroothoofdspoort is a former city gate inDordrecht that is located at the point where three rivers meet; theMerwede, theOude Maas, and theNoord.
The building was designed in the 14th century and was originally built with gothic details. The facades were built in 1618 and the tower was added in 1692. The relief above the doorway facing the river was designed byGillis Huppe in 1618 and shows theDordrecht maiden sitting in the "Garden of Holland", holding a palm branch in her left hand and the city shield in her right hand, based on an earlier design by the Dordrecht painterGerrit Gerritsz Cuyp. She is surrounded by 16 city shields of cities who rebelled during the eighty years war. From top right, these city shields are the cities ofMonnickendam (monk),Enkhuizen (3 fish),Asperen,Heusden,Schiedam,Vlaardingen,Geertruidenberg,Schoonhoven,Hoorn,Weesp,Leerdam,Naarden,Muiden,Medemblik, andGrootebroek. Under the shields, a Latin inscription states "Unity and peace are the best defence for a city; May my God Jehovah protect me". On the other side of the tower is a relief with the shield of Dordrecht held by two griffins.
The roof was replaced by a tower in 1692 and contains a bell by H.Meurs.[1]
The current occupant "Bellevue Groothoofd hotel culinair", a hotel restaurant in the "Groothoofd" block of buildings including the gate, and where Dordrecht residents can arrange to be wed in the old gate building, claims that the "Hotel Belle Vue" building next to the gate was first mentioned in city documents in 1817.[2]
