How about a little trip back in time at the Postjesbrug? It’s more than just a way to cross the Postjeswetering. It is a landmark with stories etched into its very structure.
The Postjesbrug is located in Amsterdam Oud-West. It carries the Hoofdweg over the Postjeswetering. Officially, it’s known as Brug 231. However, everyone calls it Postjesbrug. The city briefly removed the Postjesbrug name in April 2016. Luckily, the popular name stuck.
Let’s jump back to the early 20th century. Specifically, around 1918. The Bouwgrond Exploitatie Maatschappij De Hoofdweg managed the construction. Hendrik van der Vijgh was the architect. He designed the 30-meter-wide Hoofdweg. It was intended to connect Surinameplein and Haarlemmerweg. Ultimately, it stopped at Bos en Lommerplein.
The Postjesbrug was built strong from the start. Other nearby bridges were wooden for a while longer. The city planned for an electric tram to cross here. The surrounding buildings came later. Amsterdam anticipated raising the water level of future canals. So, the Postjesbrug was built higher. This water level adjustment took until around 1955. In 1928, the Postjesbrug was reinforced.
The Dienst der Publieke Werken designed the reinforcement. The architect is unknown. The Postjesbrug showed elements of the Amsterdamse School style. Piet Kramer designed the four buildings north of the Postjesbrug. These buildings stand at the corner of Hoofdweg and Postjesweg. Kramer was a key figure in the Amsterdamse School movement. The Postjesbrug originally had three openings for boats. However, the banks weren’t reinforced yet. So, only the central opening was usable. The unprotected banks became a playground for children. People even hunted for water rats here. The Postjesbrug was known for its distinctive lanterns.
In 1954, the Postjesbrug underwent a two-phase renovation. Tram line 17 temporarily ran on a single track. A photo from September 1959 reveals a different Postjesbrug. It had a concrete span and new railings. The lanterns likely disappeared during this renovation. A brick bastion on the northwest bank maintained the architectural style. The natural stone details and seating near the Postjesbrug reflected Piet Kramer’s style. However, he had already left the Publieke Werken. Cornelis Johannes Henke, his successor, likely drew inspiration from Kramer.
Today, the Hoofdweg/Postjesweg stop for bus 15 and tram 17 extends onto the Postjesbrug. Back in the 1950s, tram 17’s stop was shorter because trams used separate motor carriages. The Postjesbrug has evolved. Yet, it remains a vital part of Amsterdam. It connects neighborhoods and carries countless stories across the water. As you stand here, consider the layers of history beneath your feet. The Postjesbrug is not just a crossing. It’s a testament to Amsterdam’s ever-changing character.