The settlement of Amersfoort received city rights on June 12, 1259 from the Utrecht bishop Hendrik van Vianden. In the deed in which Amersfoort was granted city rights, the town was described as an oppidum, which means that the city was fortified, probably by an earthen wall, perhaps with gates. Towards the end of the 13th century, the first stone wall was built, with a length of 1550 meters, and surrounded by a moat. This first city wall is still clearly visible on the map of the center of Amersfoort.In 1340 there was a major city fire, which destroyed or damaged about half of the buildings. Around 1380, construction began on a new wall (completed around 1450) with a total length of 2,850 meters, which tripled the area of ??the walled city. A number of gates were built in this wall that can still be admired today, such as the Koppelpoort and the Monnikendam. Little of the first wall has been preserved, only the heavily restored Kamperbinnenpoort remains. Nevertheless, the course of the first wall is still intact the Wall Houses follow the route of the wall and use its foundation. In the Middle Ages, Amersfoort gained great importance as a place of pilgrimage after miracles surrounding a statue of Mary, the so-called Miracle of Amersfoort, which allowed the economy to flourish and the Tower of Our Lady to be built from 1444 onwards.Old city wall and tower in Amersfoort. Old city wall and tower in the medieval centre of Amersfoort Historic city wall in Amersfoort, Netherlands
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![Historic brick city wall \](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/m/historic-brick-city-wall-stadsmuur-plantsoen-amersfoort-surrounded-lush-green-grass-mature-trees-perfect-themes-388633034.jpg "Historic brick city wall \")