westport and Caesar's tree

He is the only remaining one of the 4 city gates of Lo and even one of the few remaining city gates and defense towers in West Flanders. The moats, the course of which is still clearly visible, served to reinforce and delineate the city boundaries. Thus, we know that the city had a diameter of about 400 m. The medieval city walls were demolished in 1581-1582 at the behest of the Duke of Anjou and the Prince of Orange. The West Gate in its current form dates from the 14th century and was restored in 1852 and 1991. Next to the West Gate stands the legendary Caesar's tree. It is a yew, a conifer with leaves resembling pine needles. The yew can live for a thousand years. According to legend, Julius Caesar tied his horse to that tree on his journey to Britain and rested in the shade of its crown.

goubertf