Sassenpoort, Zwolle, Netherlands - SpottingHistory.com

The Sassenpoort is a gatehouse in the citywall of Zwolle, Netherlands. It was build in 1409 after Zwolle city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1407. The city gates represent the wealth of this period. In the period between 1893 and 1898 restoration work took place. The dormers were made, and a neogothic spire clock tower was installed, replacing an earlier 18th century spire. In between the corner towers is a machicolation. From holes in the floor of this outer work, boiling oil could be thrown at enemies. The gatehouse is a rijksmonument since 1967 and is part of the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites. The gate now serves as a pedestrian road.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Netherlands

User Reviews

Sander Smeenk (3 years ago)
Nice big old city defense tower in Zwolle. The volunteers are very nice and love to give historical background about the place. Up top are old prisoncells and the old clock!

3b Warwick (3 years ago)
Zwolle history at it's best.

Naga kumar (4 years ago)
Good place to visit! It's very close to the Zwolle Railway Station. It is present very close to the road. The usual traffic and pedestrians movement is present everytime at the Sassenport. Also, there are many company offices near the monument. There are doors which open on few days a year and the stairs lead to the top of the Sassenport. All the major monuments of Zwolle are situated in the shape of a star! So, exploring the major places in Zwolle is very convenient by walk and at last you will end up at the Zwolle Railway Station.

Peter M (4 years ago)
The beauty of this historic building is enhanced by the tour guides who gave extensive historic details about the history of Zwolle which was an important trading city since the 14th century. This is one of the many places that makes Zwolle such an interesting and fun place to visit without the crowds of other Dutch historic cities

Martin Rowe (4 years ago)
Stunning piece of early brick architecture. Guides were warm and welcoming, too.

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Royal Palace of Naples was one of the four residences near Naples used by the Bourbon Kings during their rule of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1734-1860): the others were the palaces of Caserta, Capodimonte overlooking Naples, and the third Portici, on the slopes of Vesuvius.

Construction on the present building was begun in the 17th century by the architect Domenico Fontana. Intended to house the King Philip III of Spain on a visit never fulfilled to this part of his kingdom, instead it initially housed the Viceroy Fernando Ruiz de Castro, count of Lemos. By 1616, the facade had been completed, and by 1620, the interior was frescoed by Battistello Caracciolo, Giovanni Balducci, and Belisario Corenzio. The decoration of the Royal Chapel of Assumption was not completed until 1644 by Antonio Picchiatti.

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During the Napoleonic occupation the palace was enriched by Joachim Murat and his wife, Caroline Bonaparte, with Neoclassic decorations and furnishings. However, a fire in 1837 damaged many rooms, and required restoration from 1838 to 1858 under the direction of Gaetano Genovese. Further additions of a Party Wing and a Belvedere were made in this period. At the corner of the palace with San Carlo Theatre, a new facade was created that obscured the viceroyal palace of Pedro de Toledo.

In 1922, it was decided to transfer here the contents of the National Library. The transfer of library collections was made by 1925.

The library suffered from bombing during World War II and the subsequent military occupation of the building caused serious damage. Today, the palace and adjacent grounds house the famous Teatro San Carlo, the smaller Teatrino di Corte (recently restored), the Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, a museum, and offices, including those of the regional tourist board.

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