Slipping through time, we find Leendert van der Meulen, a weapons master from Utrecht. In 1751, he embarked on the ship Luchtenburg, bound for Batavia. This journey, etched in the annals of the Dutch East India Company, connects to the Leendert van der Meulenbrug here in Amsterdam. The bridge, a modern echo of a historical figure, bears his name. Leendert’s voyage was long and arduous. The Luchtenburg first stopped at the Cape of Good Hope, 185 days after leaving the Netherlands. After a month at the Cape, the ship continued its journey, finally reaching Batavia after another 198 days at sea. Imagine spending over a year on a ship, navigating treacherous waters. Leendert spent over three years in Batavia before embarking on his return journey in 1756 aboard the Persijnenburg. This ship also stopped at the Cape. Tragically, the Persijnenburg never reached its final destination. Records state that Leendert van der Meulen was listed as “shipwrecked” upon the Persijnenburg’s arrival in the Netherlands, a stark reminder of the perils of 18th-century seafaring. Centuries later, Amsterdam honors this voyager with the Leendert van der Meulenbrug. The bridge stands as a silent testament to his journey, a tangible link to a past filled with adventure, hardship, and ultimately, tragedy. As you cross this bridge, remember Leendert van der Meulen, a name whispered across centuries, carried on the winds of history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to