Did the Strekdam always look this way? Absolutely not. Let’s journey back to the 19th century. The Strekdam began as a simple structure, built to safeguard the shipping lane leading to the Oranjesluizen. It extended several kilometers into the IJmeer, a long finger of land pointing towards the horizon. Back then, its purpose was purely practical. A narrow footpath was maintained, solely to allow access to a small lighthouse at the dam’s end. Over time, nature reclaimed the Strekdam. Seeds carried by wind and water, dropped by birds, took root in the neglected soil. Trees and shrubs flourished, transforming the bare, man-made structure into a haven for wildlife. This accidental wilderness became a favorite spot for writers like Nescio and Jac. P. Thijsse, who captured its unique charm in their words. The Strekdam offered a rare, untamed escape within Amsterdam’s city limits. But progress, as it often does, came at a cost. With the development of the new IJburg neighborhood came plans for a marina. This marina demanded a quicker, more direct route for pleasure boats heading towards the Oranjesluizen. The solution? A 200-meter gap cut directly through the Strekdam. Despite protests and concerns about the environmental impact, the decision was made. More than fifty trees were felled, and a piece of Amsterdam’s wild heart was sacrificed for the convenience of boaters. Although now altered, the Strekdam still stands, a reminder of the constant push and pull between nature and human development. A shortened and broken peninsula. A space where the ghosts of trees still whisper on the wind.
Strekdam
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