Beneath our very feet, the Sluisbrug carries a wealth of Amsterdam’s history. It’s more than just a way to cross the Amstel. The Hogesluis, bridge number 246, is a monumental double bascule bridge. Willem Springer designed it in a Parisian style.
The first bridge here was built in 1662. It was part of Amsterdam’s Fourth Expansion. At 220 meters long, it was quite the structure. Because it matched the height of the city walls, people called it “Hooge Sluis” or High Sluis. In Amsterdam, “sluis” often refers to a stone bridge.
Originally, the Sluisbrug had 35 stone arches. Eleven of these spanned the river. Three arches allowed passage for ships. In 1823, King Willem I ordered changes. Workers removed two middle arches. They replaced them with a wider passage featuring two bascule bridges. This allowed larger ships to pass.
By 1875, the first horse-drawn tram line needed to cross the Amstel here. But the bridge’s slopes were too steep. So, they lowered the bridge deck by more than a meter. The Sarphatistraat slopes were lengthened.
In 1882, the Sluisbrug underwent a major transformation. The old bridge was torn down. A new, grander bridge was constructed. Architect Willem Springer drew inspiration from Paris’s Pont Neuf over the Seine. The new Hogesluis also featured double bascule flaps. Obelisks with ornate lanterns adorned the bridge. Its design matched the elegant Sarphatistraat area. It included the Amstel Hotel and the Paleis voor Volksvlijt. The Sarphatistraat became a grand entryway for train travelers arriving at the Rhijnspoorstation.
The Sluisbrug needed strengthening in 1903. Electric trams were heavier than their horse-drawn predecessors. The bridge flaps were replaced in 1933. A persistent problem plagued the bridge. The central pillars tended to sink inward. This narrowed the passage for ships over time.
Extensive renovations took place in 1977. The old bascule cellars were demolished. New concrete ones replaced them. A concrete bridge deck was installed, and the bridge flaps were replaced. The bridge required constant cooling with spray water. This prevented it from failing to close properly after opening. A spray system was installed in 2003.
Further renovations revealed serious foundation damage. A complete renovation would cost an extra 8 million euros. Replacing the bridge entirely was considered. But the monumental bridge was deemed a better fit.
In September 2009, the old bridge was dismantled. The monumental stone parts were carefully removed and stored. New concrete pillars replaced the deteriorated ones. The original stone cladding was reinstalled. On July 15, 2012, the renovated Sluisbrug celebrated its 350th anniversary with a festive reopening. The renovation cost 27 million euros. Since 2016, the bridge has been remotely operated.
The name “Hoge Sluis” extends beyond the bridge itself. It identified places nearby. Until 2009, a café-restaurant at the corner of Sarphatistraat and Amstel bore the name. Even a Jellinek addiction care program used the name. It operated from a building on Sarphatistraat.
So, the next time you cross the Sluisbrug, remember its rich history. It’s a story of innovation, adaptation, and enduring beauty. This bridge is not just a crossing. It’s a landmark.