The city walls around Sluis have cultural-historical value and are a lovely piece of nature for walkers and cyclists.
As early as the 14th century, fortifications were constructed to protect the then important trading town. The Spanish recaptured the town in 1587, but in 1604 the town was taken by the troops of Prince Maurice. Most of the city walls date from this period.
It is wonderful to walk along the city walls with their moats and gates.
City gates
The Steenen Beer, also known as the Westpoort or Brugse Poort, is the best-known city gate. It was built between 1444 and 1456 by master mason Hendrik Timmerman. The fortified city gate served as the cornerstone of the rampart that was to protect Sluis against attacks from all sorts of bands of soldiers. The fortification endured quite a few heavy attacks from Bruges. In 1587 the fortification was destroyed during the siege and capture of Sluis by the Duke of Parma. Restorations took place in the 1960s, 1970s and 1990s. The Steenen Beer once comprised, among other things, a soldiers' hall, an armoury, a spiral staircase, storage space and a gunpowder magazine. On the north-west side of the ruin there was a brickworks and a large and small smelting house (buildings where fat was melted). Because this posed a fire hazard, it was not allowed to take place within the city walls. Next to the Westpoort there was a large tower; in the 16th century it was called the Blauwe Toren (Blue Tower), probably because it was covered with blue tiles or slates. Hence also the name "Blauwe Torenpad" (Blue Tower Path), which is located close to the Westpoort.
The Waterpoort (1424), was built by city mason Joris Lietac. From the founding of Sluis until 1572, the surplus water from the area around Aardenburg entered the city through this gate. Via a sluice, the water was connected to the inner harbour of Sluis and to the Zwin.
The Zuidpoort opposite the mill is the old entrance gate of Sluis. It is the oldest city gate in Sluis and was built from 1399 to 1406 by master mason Arend de Keijser. The road to Aardenburg ran from the gate. Through this gate, one reached the ravelin “Vriesland” via a long footbridge and a drawbridge. A ravelin is a defensive island in the main moat, covering the straight wall behind it between the bastions. The gate had a stone bridge. The gate remained in use until 1795 and used to be much larger. To the right of the gate entrance still stands the old gatekeeper's house, which was inhabited until 1928.
The Oostpoort which stands next to the football field, was built between 1424 and 1432 by Joris Lietac. The gate has been fully restored and is truly a beautiful and impressive sight.
