Watergate and casemates of Damme

Location: Haringmarkt and Kerkstraat (near the church), 8340 Damme [gps]
Accessibility: not accessible

Casemates are fortified storages for ammunition.  The largest casemate can still be seen when you are on the Haringmarkt.  This building was erected at the same time as the construction of the defensive walls around the town in 1616.  Under this gate the canal Ghent - Damme (called the "Lieve") entered the town.  Before, this canal debouched into the Zwin a bit north of the town, but for military reasons it's bed was changed and the canal was led inside the town walls.  Via a covered casemate (also called the Watergate) this canal entered the town, and mouthed into the port via a lock-chamber.  The lock-chamber of the Lieve has been dug out a few decades ago and can be seen at the end of the St.-Jacobsstraat.  The casemate is not open to the public.

There are two other casemates inside the city walls, namely there where the Kerkstraat crosses the town walls (between the bridge over the Zuidervaart and the church).  In these casemates, bats have found shelter [see bat reserve Damme].  For that reason, they are a protected area and cannot be visited.