Haarlemmersluis

What secrets does a lock hold? At the Haarlemmersluis, where the Singel canal meets the IJ river, stories whisper from the stones. This isn’t just a bridge and a lock. It’s a time capsule. Haarlemmersluis connects the bustling Nieuwendijk and Haarlemmerstraat, a bridge between past and present. Originally called the “New Haarlemmersluis,” it distinguished itself from its older counterpart on the Martelaarsgracht. The “Old Haarlemmersluis” disappeared when the canal was filled in 1884. But our Haarlemmersluis persevered. Built in 1602 as part of the city’s sea defenses, it kept the salty IJ waters from invading the fresh canals. Imagine the constant creak of wooden gates, holding back the tides. The Haarlemmersluis witnessed Amsterdam’s growth, a bustling hub for market boats, brewery barges, and ferries carrying milk from Waterland. In 1617, it underwent a major renovation. It became wider and longer, equipped with multiple sets of flood and ebb gates. Even then, Haarlemmersluis could barely keep up with the boat traffic. The city built the Eenhoornsluis to ease the congestion. In 1672, during the Disaster Year when the Dutch Republic faced attacks from all sides, Haarlemmersluis, along with other city locks, fell into disrepair. Clamps and crochets held the aging structure together. Johannes Hudde, Amsterdam’s mayor for over two decades, recognized the importance of the city’s water management. He oversaw the Haarlemmersluis renovation in 1681. Hudde also established a system for measuring water levels, with marble slabs marking the dike height. One of these slabs still exists at the Eenhoornsluis. This system became the basis for measuring heights throughout the Netherlands. Haarlemmersluis wasn’t just about water management. From 1661 to 1840, it housed the “New Fish Market.” Vendors sold their fresh catches from covered stalls, keeping the fish cool in baskets submerged in the canal. Now, only a herring vendor cart remains, a nostalgic reminder of the vibrant market. Today, Haarlemmersluis is a popular tourist spot, a picturesque scene with boats navigating the lock. Even now, Haarlemmersluis plays a role in keeping the canals clean. At night, it, or the Eenhoornsluis, is closed to refresh the canal water. Never both at the same time, ensuring boat traffic continues between the IJ and the canals. So, as you stand on the Haarlemmersluis bridge, remember, you’re not just crossing a bridge or watching a lock operate. You’re experiencing a living piece of Amsterdam’s history, a testament to the city’s enduring relationship with water.