Gorinchem Fortress

The motto of Gorinchem is: "Fortes creantur fortibus” (The strong create the strong). This motto was taken from the heraldic device of the Heren van Arkel (Knights of Arkel) who ruled here from the 13th century until 1412. The story goes that the settlement came into being on higher ground around the year 1000. The settlement was situated on a piece of land near the mouth of the rivers Linge and Merwede. Farmers and fisher folk were the first to settle here.

During the Middle Ages, the inhabitants were regularly threatened by floods and infectious diseases, as well as by their neighbours in the states of Holland and Gelre. Towards the end of the 13th century, the settlement was fortified. This fortification work included strengthening the ramparts with stockades and forming a barrier of outwardpointing stakes. In the 14th century, the ramparts were improved by the addition of stone walls and towers. However, this still could not prevent its incorporation into Holland in 1417. It was during this period that the Arkel lineage finally died out. After annexation by Holland, Gorinchem grew to be the eighth-largest town in Holland.

In the 16th century, the town walls were replaced with newer fortifications, resulting in a wall of fortification with eleven bastions. The new walls enclosed an area twice as big as the previous one and a total of four gates (or ‘ports’) were built. Evidence of these gates can be found in the remaining Dalempoort.