What if bridges could talk? This one, the Grote Houtbrug in Haarlem, would have stories to tell. It has seen so much.
The Grote Houtbrug stands in Haarlem-Centrum. It is a fixed bridge on the Stadsbuitensingel. Here the Gasthuissingel flows into the Raamsingel. The bridge connects the Grote Houtstraat with Houtplein. It also connects to the Dreef, which runs through the Haarlemmerhout. The bridge is near the former Grote Houtpoort. This was once a Haarlem fortification. Today, the bridge is a municipal monument.
Once upon a time, the Grote Houtpoort stood here. Tolls were collected there. In 1826, two toll houses replaced it on the city side of the bridge. People nicknamed them “de Komiezenhuisjes”. This was after the former official rank “commies”. Another nickname was “de Dobbelstenen” because of their square and white appearance. Sadly, these toll houses were demolished around 1927.
The Grote Houtbrug underwent a major renovation and widening between 1930 and 1931. The old bridge was demolished. Then, they built a new one. At that time, car traffic was more important than shipping. The Komiezenhuisjes disappeared to improve traffic flow. So did some other buildings. The bridge was decorated with sculptures by Hendrik van den Eijnde. He created two portraits. One was of Frans Hals. The other was of Lieven de Key.
During this renovation, workers found old remains of arches. This discovery led to an exhibition at the Frans Hals Museum. It showcased old bridges and city gates in Haarlem. During construction, the Haarlem tram was rerouted. It used a temporary bridge. The building process experienced several delays. There was a strike. Also, the sewer system required an unplanned revision. The bridge was finally completed in the spring of 1931. It has a reinforced concrete core. It cost 57,000 guilders.
The Grote Houtbrug wasn’t the only bridge adapted to changing traffic. The Manegebrug and Jansbrug had been widened earlier.
Hendrik van den Eijnde immortalized Frans Hals on the bridge. Hals died in poverty. Yet his colleagues saw him as a major Haarlem painter. During the 18th century, his work fell out of favor. People saw him as a drunk who did not take his work seriously. His loose style and everyday subjects were no longer appreciated. The French Classicism influenced art lovers. They preferred painters of biblical and mythological scenes.
Realism emerged in France in the second half of the 19th century. Writers and painters rejected academic principles. They focused on everyday life. They painted ordinary farmers, fishermen, and laborers. These paintings used loose brushstrokes and dark colors. Dutch Masters’ realistic paintings inspired artists like Courbet, Monet, and Van Gogh. Van Gogh was enthusiastic about Hals’ work. Many artists saw Frans Hals as the “first modern artist”.
Interestingly, no original self-portraits of Frans Hals exist. A portrait on the Saint George militia piece from 1639 is believed to be him. Sculptor Hendrik van den Eijnde likely used a similar portrait for the bridge. Frans Hals is now fully rehabilitated. He is one of the great three Dutch Golden Age painters. The other two are Rembrandt and Vermeer. It is fitting that he has a museum in Haarlem. That is where he created his beautiful works.
So, as you cross the Grote Houtbrug, remember its rich history. Think of the toll houses, the renovation, and Frans Hals. This bridge is more than just concrete and steel. It is a connection to Haarlem’s past.