Helpoort

Very pleasant and old part of the city. With beautiful houses on the sides, very pretty walk.

Helpoort – A Timeless Guardian of Maastricht Nestled in the charming Jekerkwartier district, Helpoort is not just a gate — it’s a living fragment of Maastricht’s medieval soul. Built in 1229, it is the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands, and the only remaining part of Maastricht’s first city wall. Originally called Hoogbruggepoort, it played a key role in the city’s defense until the 15th century. After losing its military function, the gate was repurposed over the centuries — from a meeting place for cloth workers to a gunpowder store, prison, and even a private residence. Its rich and varied history is a testament to its resilience. Architecturally, Helpoort is striking: two semi-circular towers in stone connected by a central archway. It has been restored several times, most notably in 1881, preserving its medieval character while making it accessible to the public. Today, Helpoort houses the Vestingmuseum Maastricht, a museum dedicated to the city’s fortification history. Visitors can learn about Maastricht’s military past, walk through the old walls, and immerse themselves in the strategic heart of a once-fortified city. While small in size, Helpoort is monumental in significance. A visit here feels like stepping through time — a must-see for history lovers and curious wanderers alike.

Amazing historical place with explanation as well. There is a huge park for rest in front, also leading to the center on the other aide, across the bridge.

We had a great experience in this museum. The guide, Ron, was very knowledgeable about the history of Maastricht and the Helpoort. Made the experience worth the trip considering the relatively small museum. Highly recommend!

It is a nice historical port from really old times. Going inside was just an amazing experience, not for port itself, but because of the people that explains you the full history of the place! I learned a lot about Maastricht and history of The Netherlands! I was really impressed by that!

What a great place to visit. FABULOUS photo ops!! If you walk through the gates, just off to the right is a little doorway-takes you up into the tower and a small museum. The 2 gentleman there are quite informative!! Great find!!!!

A small museum located on the second level. The entrance is on the right behind the gate house. Entrance fees applies €3 each. The museum is small with limited artefacts on display. But nonetheless interesting. The steps up the museum is narrow and do be cautious when ascending the steps.

The Helpoort is an ancient city gate in Maastricht, Netherlands. Built in 1229, it's the oldest of its kind in the country. It's a historic treasure, but when we visited, it was closed, which was disappointing. This gate is a glimpse into the city's rich past, and it's a must-see for history buffs. It's sad that we couldn't explore it, but the exterior is still quite impressive. Hopefully, future visitors have better luck gaining access to this historic gem.