The Gate of Ghent is one of four Bruges medieval city gates which have survived from an original seven gates and it is the only one open to the public. The Gentpoort, Kruispoort and Katelijnepoort were designed by Maarten van Leuven and Jan van Oudernaerde; they were constructed sometime around 1400. The route through this gate would lead to the city of Ghent, hence the name. Foreigners, travelers and tradesmen would enter through this portal. The gate formed an opening in the defensive city walls. The Gentpoort Bridge crosses the ring canal from the road which runs through the city gate. Today the gate is used as a museum and at night the exterior is lit up.

As you approach the gatehouse you will notice a statue of Saint Adrian above the roadway. The saint was said to protect Bruges from the plague. Inside the museum displays include a weapons collection and interactive touch screens providing information about the history of the gates and city walls. Visitors can learn how the walls were expanded over the years and how the medieval gates were of vital importance to the survival of Bruges during wartime. Visitors can try their hand at shooting a crossbow (on a Wii consol) as if they were the gate watchmen. At the city gates taxes were collected on goods entering and exiting the city. The gates were also a point of quality control over trader’s goods. From the gate tower’s roof terrace you can get brilliant views across the city.

Note that the gate museum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to see the other three remaining gates (which can’t be visiting on the inside) they are Ezelpoort, Kruispoort and Smedenpoort.