Across the Singel stands the Heibrug. A seemingly simple bridge. Yet its story spans centuries. Built around 1900 this Heibrug replaced an older bridge. That older bridge itself was a replacement. It could no longer handle the growing traffic of the 19th century.
The Heibrug connects Heisteeg to Wijde Heisteeg. These narrow streets were created after Amsterdam’s expansion in the late 16th century. The need for a bridge here is evident in Pieter Bast’s 1599 city map. Balthasar Florisz van Berckenrode’s map from around 1624 shows it too. The name Heibrug may derive from ‘t Hayblok a corner house nearby. Or perhaps from the Heypoort a gate nearby.
Before 1606 the Heibrug had a less pleasant name. It was called the Strontenburgerbrug. The area was smelly. Two shipyards polluted the Spui. The Spui was then a waterway. Amsterdam’s attempt to standardize street names in 1606 didn’t fully succeed.
The Heibrug has seen its share of mishaps. In 1854 a fruit office was destroyed. This was during work on the bridge. In 1892 a stone mason was injured. He got scalding lead in his eye. The bridge was repaired then. The early 20th century saw plans to widen the Leidsestraat. This would have involved demolishing the Heibrug. Fortunately this plan was abandoned. Another plan to demolish the Heibrug and surrounding area in 1920 was also abandoned. The bridge deck was renewed around 1958. A further renovation happened in 1983.
The Heibrug stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s growth. It also reflects the city’s resilience. It connects past and present. It silently witnesses the city’s ebb and flow. It’s more than just a way to cross a canal. It’s a link to Amsterdam’s rich history. A story told in iron and wood. A story waiting to be discovered.