Gazing across the Buiksloterkanaal, can you envision a bridge built not for the public, but for the employees of a giant corporation? This is the Galgenveldbrug, a bridge with a curious past. The Galgenveldbrug initially served as a private walkway, connecting the Shell canteen and gardens on one side to their Groot Laboratorium on the other. Constructed between 1972 and 1975, this bridge, designed by Arthur Staal, the same architect behind the Shell Tower, was entirely funded by Shell. Imagine the hustle and bustle of Shell employees traversing this bridge daily, their minds preoccupied with formulas and experiments. But the Galgenveldbrug’s story takes a turn. In 2003, the Shell terrain was transferred to the municipality. The bridge received a new number, changing from 188 to 2476. It also gained its current name, Galgenveldbrug, meaning “gallows field bridge.” This name harkens back to Amsterdam’s medieval execution grounds, once located nearby. It’s a stark reminder of a darker past, where individuals like Elsje Christiaens met their tragic end. Ironically, Christiaens also has a bridge named after her, just a short distance northeast from the Galgenveldbrug. So, the next time you cross the Galgenveldbrug, remember its peculiar journey. From a private corporate pathway to a public walkway bearing a somber name, the Galgenveldbrug stands as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of Amsterdam. It connects not just two sides of a canal, but also two vastly different eras of the city’s 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