150 years ago, the city of Haarlem was surrounded by walls, towers, and city gates.  The only part of that which remains today is a magnificent monument, the Amsterdamse Poort, which dates from around 1355.  Originally the gate was called Spaamwouderpoort, but when a new canal was dug nearby, this gate became very popular since it was now possible to travel back and forth to Amsterdam on the same day.  Thus the name of the gate was changed to Amsterdamse Poort. 

By 1865 the gate was in pretty bad shape and the Haarlem city government wanted to demolish it because it was blocking the construction of a new bridge at this location.  However there wasn't enough money to construct the new bridge, so the city council agreed to provide funds for a short-term renovation of the gate to make sure it would stay up for two or three more years.  Fortunately it lasted longer than that, and in 1889 a small renovation was planned.   In the 1960's the gate was declared a National Monument.  Finally, in 1985, there was a complete renovation.