Consider this: A dispute over a lowered sill turned a simple lock into the Bartelsluis we know today. It is more than just a structure. It is a monument to local politics and enduring community spirit.
Bartelsluis is a small community in Wormerland. It formally belongs to the village of Wormer. The Bartelsluis itself began as a practical solution. In 1634, the mayor and rulers of Wormer received permission to dike the Enge Wormer. Water transport was vital, so in 1638, they built a wooden lock on the Zaan River. This connected the Westerveer and Enge Wormerringsloot with the Zaan.
By 1733, the wooden lock was failing. A new stone lock was needed. This is where the story gets interesting. The mayor at the time, Simon Appel, was a wealthy and influential man. He wanted the lock sill six feet below summer level even lower than specified. He got his way but caused quite a stir.
Local cattle farmers supported Appel. Manufacturers and merchants, however, wanted a higher water level. This would allow them to transport goods unhindered. With the sill so low, this was not guaranteed. The opening of the Bartelsluis was to include a commemorative stone. The text on this stone became another point of contention.
The inscription praised Appel’s decision. It thanked him for ensuring the sill was six feet below summer level. This caused even more unrest. People came from far and wide to see this “steen des aanstoots” or stumbling block. The innkeeper at the nearby ferry house, Mr. Bartel, profited from the increased traffic. Soon, people started calling the new lock Bartelsluis in his honor.
Satirical poems emerged. These mocked Appel’s decision. One poem twisted the inscription. It accused Appel of working against the people’s welfare. Despite the controversy, the stone remained in the lock wall.
During a renovation in 1938, the stone was removed. It broke into five pieces. These pieces lay forgotten until around 1940. A curator from the Zaandijk museum, Mr. G.J. Honig, rescued them. Today, you can see the stone in the Honig Breethuis museum garden in Zaandijk. Sadly, one piece of the original stone is missing.
Initially, the Bartelsluis was used by biscuit vendors. They traveled to and from Amsterdam to sell their goods. In the 19th century, it supplied raw materials to the Van Gelder paper factory. In the 1960s, the Bartelsluis was filled in. However, it was reopened in 1998. It became part of a large flower garden. In 2009, the municipality recognized the Bartelsluis as a municipal monument.
The Bartelsluis area grew into a small community. To distinguish it from the lock, it is sometimes called Bartelsluisbuurt. The community sits on the border between Wormer and Engewormer.
The Bartelsluis now has a new movable bridge to the south. This bridge connects the Veerdijk and Engewormer over the Wolfrak waterway. It is designed to resemble traditional Zaan drawbridges.
So, the Bartelsluis stands as a testament to history. It highlights community, and even a bit of stubbornness. A place where a lowered sill sparked a controversy, and gave a lock a name.