The Amsterdamse Poort is an old city gate of Haarlem, Netherlands. It is located at the end of the old route from Amsterdam to Haarlem and the only gate left from the original twelve city gates.It was created in 1355 and is the only remaining city gate from the defenses of Haarlem. Until the 17th century it was the city gate used for traffic by land eastwards towards Spaarnwoude over the Laeghe weg (now Oude weg). In 1631 the Haarlemmertrekvaart was dug, which shortened the waterway from Haarlem to Amsterdam considerably. Until that time, boats bound for Amsterdam did not pass here, but traveled up the Spaarne river to pass the small sluice gate at Spaarndam, in order to reach the IJ. Coaches traveling by land to Amsterdam did leave this gate over the Oude Weg to the Liede, where they would cross at Penningsveer (a ferry for a penny), to Spaarnwoude and from there, journey onwards along the old IJdijk to Amsterdam.This gate, for those travelling by land, was called the Spaarnwouderpoort. With the new canal and its towpath, the trip was so short, it became much more popular, since it was now possible to travel back and forth to Amsterdam on the same day. Thus the name of the gate changed to Amsterdamse Poort