De Krommert

Gazing upon this seemingly ordinary playground, nestled between the Admiraal de Ruijterweg and Maarten Harpertszoon Trompstraat, we uncover the secret of De Krommert. De Krommert isn’t just a playground. It’s a whisper of Amsterdam’s past, a ghost of a waterway that once flowed here. Imagine barges laden with goods, gliding along the Krommert, a vital artery connecting the Kostverlorenvaart to the Molensloot. This waterway, bustling with activity, gave life to the surrounding market gardens that flourished here until the 1920s. De Krommert, the waterway, met its end in the mid-20th century, swallowed by the city’s growth. But its memory lives on, not only in this playground but also in the very streets we stand on. The Admiraal de Ruijterweg, with its distinctive bend, still follows the Krommert’s original path. Even the tram lines, laid down in 1981, echo the curve of the vanished waterway. De Krommert, the neighborhood, thrives at the crossroads of the Admiraal de Ruijterweg and Jan Evertsenstraat. Though you won’t find its name on any street signs, De Krommert is alive in the local businesses, the vibrant shops, and the community that calls this place home. Look around you. This unassuming playground, Apotheek De Krommerdt, the house at number 95 Admiraal de Ruijterweg, all bear witness to the enduring spirit of De Krommert. So, next time you hear the name De Krommert, remember the waterway, the market gardens, and the vibrant community that grew up around it. Remember the hidden history beneath our feet, a story waiting to be rediscovered.