“Ever wonder about the secrets hidden beneath a seemingly ordinary city bridge?” I ask. That’s the Raambrug for you. A place steeped in history and local lore.
The Raambrug, or Frame Bridge, stands as a key entry point to Amsterdam’s historic Nine Streets district. This bridge, officially known as Bridge 5, spans the Singel. The Singel once marked the city limits. Today, the Raambrug connects Raamsteeg to Oude Spiegelstraat.
Originally, a wooden-beam bridge stood here. It was replaced by a stone-arch bridge in 1753. Steel girders were installed in 1910. The Raambrug underwent extensive renovation and reopened on April 10, 2014.
The name Raamsteeg comes from wooden frames. These frames were used to dry and stretch woolen fabrics. Oude Spiegelstraat gets its name from the Spieghel family. This family was successful in soap manufacturing. Until 1811, residents of this street were not considered city residents. They had to live beyond the city gates. Until 1894, Bridge 5 was known as the Appelmarckt. That translates to Apple Market.
Four centuries ago, in 1613, construction began on Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. By then Amsterdam’s canal network included 80 bridges.
You might not know that this bridge even served as a testbed. It tested Amsterdam’s new, energy-efficient LED bridge lighting system. Trials continued until December 2015.
But there is another bridge in Amsterdam also called Bullebakssluis. The Bullebakssluis is often confused with a bridge called Bullebak. The Bullebakssluis, bridge 160, was once an arched bridge on top of the old city wall. It is now a low bridge designed in 1930 by Piet Kramer. Kramer was the bridge architect of the Amsterdam Public Works Department. The Bullebakssluis is located on the Marnixstraat. The water of the Bloemgracht and Lijnbaansgracht still passes under it. It exits on the Singelgracht.
The lock was named after a water monster called Bullebak. According to a 17th-century folk tale, this monster hid in the dark water. It waited to grab Jordaan children who ventured too close. The Bullebak would drag them under and devour them. He was said to stir the water and roar. This happened especially during dark nights and storms.
The Raampoort, or Frames Gate, was an auxiliary gate through the defense wall. It was created around 1632 and demolished in 1844. The Raampoort gate was opened to accommodate workers from the Jordaan area. They worked in the cloth frame fields or sawmills outside the city wall.
The current Raampoort bridge was created in 1969. This was part of a city plan from 1931. Protests in 1972 stopped that destructive plan.
The square to the right of Bureau Raampoort is also named Bullebakssluis. Since 2005, it has featured the small bronze sculpture New Naatje.
So, as you cross the Raambrug, remember its layers of history. From wooden frames to water monsters to modern lighting. This bridge is a testament to Amsterdam’s ever-evolving story.