Amsterdam is known for many things – its picturesque canals, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, and, of course, its numerous bridges. The Dutch capital boasts more than 1,200 bridges, making it one of the most bridge-laden cities in the world.
The bridges of Amsterdam have a rich history, and many of them are significant landmarks in the city. Some of the most famous bridges in Amsterdam include the Magere Brug, the Torensluis, and the Python Bridge.
I originally posted all of this to Instagram at @bruggenvanamsterdam but of course that comes with limitations and Facebook/Meta tracking.
I also wanted to make sure I had a copy of all of this since I sporadically updated Instagram and meant I had notes in notepad, google keep and google docs.
I’ll keep them both in sync going forward but for now it may take a bit of time while I copy across the content from Instagram and add in additional photos with links to google photo albums.
You should also probably check out some things which were originally posted as stories as I didn’t want to interrupt the numbered flow of bridge posts. Because being a bit of a nerd things started off simply with Bridge 1 (Muntsluis) because of its central location in Amsterdam’s web-like central canal network, and from here the bridge numbers increase consecutively along Singel, and that was easy enough following around Herengracht and back up Keizersgracht, but that means now at around bridge 60 I can no longer just skip bridges because who would do that? So keeping this all in consecutive order is a pain but hey it is what it is. So below are things that are either not in Amsterdam (yes the Netherlands is more than Amsterdam) or they are interesting but no way would I ever be able to wait until their number would come up in order before posting about them.
Like the Bridges of Europe (Bruggen van Europa) a cool little set of pedestrian bridges I visited in February 2021. They are mini replicas of the fake bridges on Euro bank notes located in Spijkenisse.
Or the Python Bridge which at number 1998 it is going to be a long time before I get to that at the pace I am going right now.
Wooden and Metal Drawbridges in Amsterdam
The first bridges in Amsterdam were all made of wood. Amsterdam has a number of drawbridges made of wood. The most famous example of this is the Magere Brug (aka the skinny bridge) over the Amstel. Very close by is a copy of that famous bridge, the the Walter Süskindbrug (237) is a bridge over…
Oosterdoksdraaibrug – Bridge 2270
The Oosterdoksdraaibrug: A Tale of Two Swing Bridges Amsterdam’s Oosterdok Island is served by the Oosterdoksdraaibrug, a name that refers to two distinct swing bridges connecting the island’s eastern side to Dijksgracht (officially named in 1957). The First Bridge: From Harbor Master’s to Replacement The original bridge, known as the Havenmeestersbrug (Harbor Master’s Bridge, bridge…
Walenweeshuissluis – Bridge 70 | Amsterdam
The Walenweeshuissluis (Walen Orphanage Lock – Amsterdam bridge 70) is a fixed bridge in Amsterdam Center. Despite the name Sluis here there is a stone bridge. The bridge’s name, Walenweeshuissluis, is derived from the “Weeshuys” (an orphanage) located near the bridge in the 17th century, and Walen refers to the old central district of the city, which had a connection…
Brug 69 – Bridge 69 | Amsterdam
Bridge 69, previously known by the nickname Antiquairbrug (Antiquarian Bridge), is notable in Amsterdam. It spans the Prinsengracht canal at the intersection with the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and Spiegelgracht. This bridge is located in a historic and picturesque area, close to significant landmarks and tourist destinations like the Rijksmuseum. The bridge connects the Spiegelsgracht with the…
Exploring the Enchanting Elegance of Amsterdam’s Magere Brug – Bridge 242
Discover the romantic allure and rich history of the Magere Brug, Amsterdam’s iconic Skinny Bridge that graces the Amstel River. From its legendary tales of eternal happiness to its twinkling lights at night, this bridge is a must-visit destination for any visit to Amsterdam. A Glimpse of Amsterdam’s Romance Amsterdam’s enchanting ambiance is epitomized by…
The Nescio Bridge | Amsterdam Bridge 2013
The Nesciobrug Designated as bridge number 2013 in Amsterdam’s numbering system, is a remarkable feat of engineering named in honour of the renowned Dutch writer, Nescio. This elegant curved bridge features a hang-cable-stayed design, making it one of the longest and most impressive bicycle and pedestrian bridges in the Netherlands. Stretching an impressive 780 meters…
Jan Schaefer Bridge – Amsterdam bridge number: 2000
The Jan Schaeferbrug: A Bridge Born from Collaboration and Innovation Jan Schaefer Bridge is another of Amsterdam’s newer bridges. It passes through the middle of Pakhuis De Zwijgerand spans the 200 metre-wide IJ Harbour. Every five years the bridge is dismantled for Sail Amsterdam. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kees Stoof (@cstoof)…
Aalmoezeniersbrug – Bridge 68 | Amsterdam
The Aalmoezeniersbrug or Chaplains bridge is located on Leidsestraat and spans Prinsengracht. The name refers to the bestedelingenhuis or almshouse, which was located on Prinsengracht. The original shelter for poor orphans and widows was located next to what was Amsterdam’s Palace of Justice for more than a century and with which, at least the building,…
Angenietje Swarthofbrug – Bridge 67 | Amsterdam
The Angenietje Swarthofbrug road bridge is located in the northern quay of the Leidsegracht and runs over the Prinsengracht. The bridge forms a whole with bridge 122 and the bridge 93 both of which are in the quays of Prinsengracht over Leidsegracht. The bridge had an untraceable none historic name and until April 2016 it…
Brug 66 – Bridge 66 | Amsterdam
Bridge 66 is a road bridge and is located on the Runstraat and crosses over the Prinsengracht. In contrast to the bridges north of its, this bridge does not connect to a road on the other side of Prinsengracht directly, instead it leads to the northern quay of the Looiersgracht. As you can see from…
Berensluis – Bridge 65 | Amsterdam
Bear Lock Forming the connection between the Berenstraat and the Elandsgracht and spanning the Prinsengracht, the Berensluis is relatively new. Well this version is anyway, dating from 1950, but of course there has been a bridge in this location since at least 1649 as it appears on Joan Blaeu’s map at that time. The bridge…
De Reesluis – Bridge 64 | Amsterdam
De Reesluis (Bridge 64 The Roe Lock) The bridge is named after the deer as the southern part of the Jordaan there were many tanners who processed deer hides. The name of the nearby Looiersgracht also refers to this tanning activity. It is a continuation of Reestraat over the Prinsengracht in the city centre canal…
Nieuwe-Wercksbrug – Bridge 63 | Amsterdam
Nieuwe-Wercksbrug (Bridge 63) The name of bridge 63 comes from the old name for the neighbourhood opposite the Westerkerk. At the time of construction, the Jordaan was known as the Nieuwe Werck. So it could have easily been named Jordaanbrug if it was built now. The Nieuwe-Wercksbrug is a fixed bridge in Amsterdam centre connecting…
Brug tweeënzestig – Bridge 62 | Amsterdam
This bridge is located in the eastern quay of the Prinsengracht and crosses over the Leliegracht . #brug62 forms the end of the Leliesluis, a former lock complex from the time when the Prinsengracht formed the edge of the city. The name of the lock was not transferred to this bridge, but to #bridge61 which spans the Prinsengracht…
Leliesluis – Bridge 61 | Amsterdam
This bridge is named after the Leliegracht, which in turn is named after the Oude Leliestraat , which in turn is named after the house “In de Witte Lelye” on the Singel. It spans the Prinsengracht and connects the north bank of the Leliegracht with the other side of the Prinsengracht. This bridge is normally…
Lekkeresluis – Bridge 59 | Amsterdam
Lekkeresluis (Bridge 59 Tasty Lock)#brug59 The Lekkeresluis is named after bakers who advertised and sold their food on the bridge. Some (though not many) locals refer to it as Papeneilandbrug, after the local café at Prinsengracht 2 and let’s face it this is how many of the bridges get their now formalised names so it’s…
Haringpakkersbrug – Bridge 58 | Amsterdam
Haringpakkersbrug (Bridge 58 Herring packers bridge)#brug58 The Haringpakkersbrug is a road bridge in Amsterdam-Centrum that is named after the Haring Pakkerye that was once located here. This also was the reason for the naming of the Haringpakkerstoren (an old fortification tower on the corner of the Singel and the current Prins Hendrikkade and now better…
Papiermolensluis – Bridge 57 | Amsterdam
Papiermolensluis (Bridge 57 Paper Mill Lock) #brug57 is a vaulted bridge in Amsterdam Centre. A lock is the “old” designation for stone bridge, although there was also a lock here.This road traffic bridge forms the connection between the eastern quays of the Prinsengracht and the Korte Prinsengracht over the Brouwersgracht. This intersection of the Brouwersgracht…
Brug Zesenvijftig – Bridge 56 | Amsterdam
Bridge 56 (Brug zesenvijftig) This road bridge connects the eastern quay of the Keizersgracht with the Binnen Brouwersstraat spanning Brouwersgracht and shares its southwestern quay wall with the previous bridge #Pastoorsbrug aka #brug55The bridge has been a municipal monument since 1995.