Pause for a moment and let history come to life as you behold the impressive scene before you. The Van Geel Gateway, a remarkable work of art designed and created by talented Bergen artist Mart Franken, takes you on a journey through time and the city's rich cultural heritage.

This masterpiece has been created commissioned by both the municipality of Bergen op Zoom and the local entrepreneurs' association Sterck. Both parties share a vision of enriching the city with artworks that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also reflect the identity and history of the city.

The artist has, with care and precision, transformed the two walls of this passageway into a tribute to the past. The property once housed a blacksmith's forge belonging to the Van Geel family, and this historical significance has been beautifully brought to life.

On one side of the passageway, a lively scene unfolds: a horse stands patiently in the doorway, ready to be shod. Note the meticulous details, such as the old windows and the cartouche proudly displayed above the door. Here, the place exudes the atmosphere of the former blacksmith's forge.

On the other side of the passageway, the story is further explored. Here you can see horses at full gallop, a tribute to their crucial role in the story of the forge. The patron saint of this profession is also honoured, adding even more depth to the artwork.

These dynamic images bring the past to life, evoking associations of both heritage and the city's ongoing movement. If you look closely, you can even draw parallels between the rush of the horses and our own desire to explore the city.

To complete this journey through history, here are a few facts we'd like to share:

1. The profession of blacksmith has a history stretching back to 3000 BC, when people began to work with metal.
   
2. Horses were indispensable for transport and relied on the skills of the farrier for their hoof care, up until the 20th century.
   
3. Janus Verhoeven, also known as Steketee, was a prominent blacksmith whose workshop is still located in the v.d. Rijtstraat.
   
4. In 1923, the Van Geel family took over the blacksmith's shop from the Goedschalk family, who had been in the trade since 1890.
   
5. Not only was work carried out in the smithy, but people also lived there, sometimes with large families.
   
6. The business flourished and expansion followed, including the purchase of surrounding properties.
   
7. Even outside the smithy, there was busy work, something that was tolerated by the council at the time.
   
8. In 1948, the company evolved into Van Geel en Zonen.
   
9. The workshop carried out various commissions, from churches to hotels and amusement parks.
   
10. Continued success led to further expansion with the purchase of more properties.
    
11. The Van Geel family was not only skilled in blacksmithing, but even built a sports car and a steam engine.
    
12. An old millstone set into the paving is a reminder of a time when wooden wheels were fitted with steel bands.
    
13. The restoration of the baskets of the Markiezenhof took place in the workshop in 1975.
    
14. In 1976 the company was transformed into B.V. Van Geel.
    
15. In the 1980s, the company moved to an industrial estate.
    
16. In 1988, B.V. Van Geel was acquired by Machinefabriek Heijnen B.V.
    
17. In 1959, Van Geel was a pioneer in stainless steel, which was still rare at the time.
    
18. Until 1980, you could have your horse shod in the Beursplein.
    
19. Van Geel was involved in the manufacturing of various fairground attractions.
    
20. Despite the apparent chaos in the workshop, the Van Geel family was known for their precision and craftsmanship.

Finally, to fully capture the atmosphere of that time, we want to show you some old photographs that reflect the rich history of this heritage. A visit to Van Geel's Gatehouse is not only an opportunity to admire art, but also to feel the connection with the past and to understand how crafts such as blacksmithing have contributed to the development of Bergen op Zoom.

With thanks to historical advisor Tom van Eekelen.

From photo archives.

Photos Image Bank West Brabant Archive (Partially restored and colourised) unless otherwise stated.

The editorial team is happy to Contact with people who have photos of a more suitable or better quality for this subject.