MAGERE BRUG

Description

Essentials about the Magere Brug in brief

It is probably the most famous of Amsterdam’s hundreds of bridges – the Magere Brug (Thin Bridge). The Magere Brug is one of the few remaining wooden Dutch bridges and spans the river Amstel in the center of Amsterdam between Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. No wonder the bridge is one of the most photographed sights in the city.

The history of the Magere Brug

The Magere Brug is a drawbridge that can be unfolded in the middle by means of a chain hoist. The first bridge built in 1671 had 13 arches. Since it was very narrow, it was called “thin bridge” by the population. In 1871 the Magere Brug was in such a bad condition that it had to be demolished and replaced by a wooden bridge with nine arches. Fifty years later, this bridge again had to be completely renewed. However, plans to build the Magere Brug of steel or stone did not meet with approval, so that even today a wooden bridge painted white can be seen.

The Magere Brug as photo motif

Until 2003, it was open to all forms of road traffic; after repair and restoration, only bicyclists and pedestrians currently pass under the bridge. Several times a day it is raised to allow larger ships to pass; tour boats can also pass under the closed bridge.

Especially in the evening, the Magere Brug is a great photo motif, when the 1,200 incandescent lamps with which the bridge is decorated are switched on. Then the wooden bridge reflects fabulously on the water surface.