The Watergate

History
In the past, it has been suggested by local historians that the Waterpoortje would be of Roman origin, or at least would have been the gateway to Maastricht's Roman bridge before 1275. Because of its low position, however, the little gate cannot have been an entrance gate to a bridge. There is no evidence for its alleged Roman origin.

The water gate was probably built in the 13th century and gave access via a small gateway to an unloading quay on the Meuse. The first mention dates back to 1377. The Our Lady Church's cijns book speaks of the "magnam portam que ducit ad Mosam" (the large gate opening onto the Meuse ). In the city account of 1399-1400, the gate is mentioned as the Symon Mertynsport, named after the timber merchant and councillor Mertens. In the 16th century, the name Koolpoort occurs. The 17th century also speaks of the Batpoort, although that name was also used for other gates.

By the mid-17th century, the gate had been bricked up. The specifications book No 192 of the Maastricht City Archive shows that the Waterpoortje was demolished in 1714, because it was too narrow for the slurry ferry traffic during the repair of the Meuse Bridge, today's Saint Servatius Bridge. It was rebuilt using the same material, but now with a width of 12½ feet instead of 7¾.[2] Until about 1750, the Watergate had two towers. In 1782, it was rebuilt again. From the 18th century, the gate is mainly known by its current name.

Ships were still unloaded and loaded here until the mid-19th century. In the 19th century, people built a dwelling on the gate. In 1890, the gate was demolished by order of the municipal government, but had to be rebuilt seven years later by order of the ministry.

In the early 21st century, the gateway was restored, with a staircase of red natural stone built into the gateway opening.