Kamperbrug

In 1876, the first iteration of Kamperbrug appeared in Amsterdam. It was a bascule bridge, marking the beginning of the Kamperbrug story. Kamperbrug gracefully connects Prins Hendrikkade with Stationsplein. This bridge spans the Open Havenfront where it merges into the Oosterdok. The Kamperbrug, officially bridge number 285, has seen several transformations throughout the years. The original bascule bridge of 1876 was replaced. In 1904, a new iron drawbridge took its place. This was one of Amsterdam’s earliest bridges of this type. Its design featured free-standing towers supporting the rotating counterweights. Then, in 1957, the bridge underwent another renovation. The most recent transformation occurred in 1963. The drawbridge was replaced with the fixed structure we see today. The bridge’s abutments now showcase a natural stone finish. This change was feasible because Kamperbrug doesn’t lie on a major shipping route. Only tour boats and smaller vessels pass beneath it. This meant it only really needed to open for special occasions, like the arrival of Sinterklaas. During the metro construction in the late 1970s, a temporary dam, the Kamperdam, was built west of the Kamperbrug. This effectively made the bridge landlocked for a time. Once Centraal Station was completed after 1980, the dam was removed and the water returned. In 2009, the Odebrug was built just east of Kamperbrug, helping to alleviate some of the traffic. Today, Kamperbrug accommodates three GVB tram lines and buses heading to the IJzijde bus station. Entrances to Centraal Station are located on both sides of the bridge. Until 2015, it served as the main hub for all GVB night bus lines. Underneath Kamperbrug, a constant flow of canal tour boats and water taxis navigate the waters. Kamperbrug’s name originates from the former Kamperhoofd bulwark. It is sometimes also referred to as Kamperhoofd, although unofficially.