Amersfoort

The city of Amersfoort owes its origin and name to a ford or ford in the river Eem (formerly: Amer). At that ford, the Eem was crossed by trade routes that ran from Utrecht to the east and north.

The first mention of Amersfoort dates back to 1028. There must have been a peasant settlement at that time. The strategic location prompted the bishop of Utrecht to build one of his courts there, to mine the Gelderse Vallei from here.

The settlement received city rights in 1259 from the Utrecht bishop Hendrik van Vianden.In the deed, in which Amersfoort was granted city rights, the town was described as an oppidum, that is, the city was fortified, probably by an earthen rampart, perhaps with gates. Towards the end of the 13th century, the first stone wall was built, with a length of 1550 meters, and surrounded by a moat. On the map of the center of Amersfoort this first city wall can still be found well.

In 1340 there was a major city fire, in which about half of the buildings were destroyed or damaged. Around 1380 the construction of a new wall (completed around 1450) with the total length of 2850 meters was started, which tripled the area of the walled city. A number of gates were built in this wall that can still be admired to this day, such as the Koppelpoort and the Monnikendam. Little of the first wall has been preserved, only the strongly restored Kamperbinnenpoort remains. Nevertheless, the course of the first wall is still intact; the Wall Houses follow the route of the wall and use its foundation.

Amersfoort gained great significance as a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages after miracles around a statue of Mary, which allowed the economy to flourish and the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren to be built from 1444.

Since the 16th century, the economy has deteriorated. The population growth stagnated and in the beginning of the 19th century Amersfoort had only 8,000 people. Around 1850, the inhabitants demolished large parts of the ramparts and gates. This provided work for the poor and the stones were useful for streets, squares and roads. The intervention of King Willem II prevented the demolition of the Koppelpoort, Monnikendam, Kamperbinnenpoort and a remnant of the city wall. As a result, the city has fortunately retained parts of its medieval core.

MX-5 Roadster Club NL