The northern edge of the Jordaan once was marked by city walls and had a historical gateway on the road that led to Haarlem. The current Neoclassical-style gatehouse that was built in 1840 to honor King William II, replaced the Renaissance style gate and bridge, a copy of which still stands in restored glory at the other end of the road in Haarlem. Also known as the Willemspoort, the gatehouse marked the entrance to Amsterdam until the mid 19th century. Variously used as a military post, train station, fire station and a police station, it was restored in 1986 and converted into private appartments. A bit of a weird white elephant looming in a traffic crossing, it is a handy marker to find your way the Westerpark, one of the city's most hip and upcoming parks.
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