Was it a bridge or an inn? Here at the Schollenbrug, we find a fascinating blend of both. This isn’t just a crossing. It’s a landmark steeped in history.
The Schollenbrug stands in Amsterdam-Oost. It gracefully spans the Ringvaart of the Watergraafsmeer near the Amstel. This fixed bridge is more than just steel and concrete. It is a testament to Amsterdam’s evolving landscape.
Let’s journey back to a time before this bridge. Before 1896, a narrow strip of Nieuwer-Amstel clung to the Amstel’s right bank. Here, various bridges rose and fell. Before 1900, a simple wooden bridge sufficed. Then, in 1900, Rijkswaterstaat commissioned a fourteen-meter concrete bridge. Ludwig Adrian Sanders designed it. He used the Monier system. A dispute over natural stone delayed its completion until 1901. Back then, the bridge marked the border between Amsterdam and Watergraafsmeer.
As traffic grew, this bridge became inadequate. Piet Kramer of Publieke Werken was asked to design a replacement. Kramer envisioned a grand design. It included bridge and catering facilities. However, his vision was not adopted.
In July 1932, Hendrik Petrus Berlage stepped in. He designed a steel and concrete bridge. This new bridge was 30 meters wide. Its construction meant the end of the Schollenbrug inn. In those days, Weesperzijde was a main traffic artery to Utrecht. Monne de Miranda proudly opened the bridge in July 1933. The quay between this bridge and the Berlagebrug was complete. It was home to canoe clubs.
The mid-1950s saw the quay’s function diminish. The area became less trafficked. Later, the bridge almost lost its purpose. The Weesperzijde became accessible only to cyclists and pedestrians. Today, only emergency vehicles cross the Schollenbrug.
Berlage’s design is reminiscent of Kramer’s style. The bridge features a blend of brick and natural stone. However, Berlage’s balustrades differ from Kramer’s. Kramer favored ornate designs. Berlage opted for sharp and angular lines at the Schollenbrug.
From 1904, tram line 5 terminated here. Its endpoint was near the Schollenbrug inn. On October 15, 1939, the line extended to Amstel Station. On July 30, 1942, the tram disappeared from Weesperzijde. It rerouted via Rijnstraat and Amstellaan.
The bridge’s name evolved. Originally, it was “Schulpbrug,” named after the 17th-century inn “de Schulp.” The inn stood on the Watergraafsmeer side. It featured a scallop shell on its facade. A council decision in 1933 named the nearby Schollenbrugstraat and Schollenbrugpad after the bridge.
Look closely. See how the Schollenbrug connects not just land. It connects history, design, and Amsterdam’s vibrant spirit.