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De Oude Gouwsboom

The fortress in Enkhuizen has two water gates. One of them is the Oude Gouwsboom. The Oude Gouwsboom is a historical water gate that dates back to the end of the 16th century.

The Oude Gouwsboom dates from the period after 1590 and is part of the fortifications of Enkhuizen.

Farmers could sail from the city canals to the ditches through the Oude Gouwsboom, the Boerenboom and the Ketenboom. In case of danger or high water, the booms were closed with steel shutters.

The ‘slide’ to close the gate was last used during the Second World War, when it was feared that the German occupiers would flood West Friesland.

The name ‘tree’ comes from the tree trunk that was attached to chains and floated in front of the gate and was removed when the skipper was allowed to enter.