Drawbridge

This bridge forms the gateway to the lively Zaan area. Here children can play with traditional toys and you will also find the baker, the old-fashioned shop 'Zus & Jet', the 'poffertjes' (pancake) stall and the boatyard.     

This typical Dutch bridge construction originally spanned the river Amstel. Anyone wishing to navigate their boat past the bridge had to pay a toll. You can still read the scale of charges that were in force at that time on the yellow upright supports. The bridge was raised by pulling on the chains and the bridgeman used his own weight to lower the bridge by running up the sloping bridge deck.  
Even those wanting to cross the bridge on foot had to pay to do so. The payment was made on reaching the other side.  

Technical information
Wooden double-leaf bascule bridge. When lowered, the two bridge decks lean against each other at a slight angle.   Back to overview of buildings