Nieuwe-Wercksbrug’s modern history began when the municipality chose Rozengracht as the connecting road between Amsterdam-Centre and West. The Rozengracht was filled in and a breakthrough was forced for the Raadhuisstraat. This choice resulted in #bridge63 having to be widened and reinforced. To this end, a tender was issued in July 1890 for 55 tons of beam iron and 19 tons of mogul plates for this bridge and #bridge117 in the Rozengracht over the Lijnbaansgracht. In the early 20’s it had to be renewed. Piet Kramer had considerable influence on this bridge. His style can be found in everything, first of all the architectural style of the Amsterdam School, the bridge piers with carved natural stone columns and decorative wrought iron balustrades in between, fixed to the pylons with straps. After completion, no major work has been carried out on the bridge. The bridge was designated a national monument in 2002 precisely because of the aesthetic quality of the design and its importance for the appearance of the city.
Photos from the archive
1. Prinsengracht met de Westertoren Hooft, G.O. ‘t (1870-1947)
Collection G.H. Breitner March 1896 through June 1896
http://archief.amsterdam/archief/10104
2. De Prinsengracht gezien naar de Westertoren en de Nieuwe Wercksbrug Onbekend, Anoniem
Collectie Stadsarchief Amsterdam 18 mei 1913
http://archief.amsterdam/archief/10003/25807
3. Luchtfoto naar het noordwesten, met vooraan de Westerkerk, links Nieuwe Wercksbrug (nr 63) naar de Rozengracht Dienst Publieke Werken; Afdeling Stadsontwikkeling August 1973
http://archief.amsterdam/archief/10009
4. brug 63 Gool, Han van 1990 http://archief.amsterdam/archief/30931/8
5. brug 63 en de Westerkerk Collectie Frits Knuf
1870 ca. t/m 1890 ca.
http://archief.amsterdam/archief/10018