From the water
This canal has the oldest stream gate in Amsterdam. The Kolksluice has been operating since the Middle Ages. Its lock was demolished in 1702 and replaced by the present bridge. During high tide the lock is closed to protect the city from flooding. The river Amstel continues to flow into the canals to the south, raising their level. When the tide drops, the lock is opened and the waters flow out to the sea. Through this sluicing process the canal waters are kept fresh. On the right hand side you can see the only place in old Amsterdam where buildings are directly connected to the water, so we call this place Little Venice. Now we are passing through the oldest lock system of Amsterdam. Those wooden doors on the sides are the lock that would prevent the city from floods. We do not use these locks anymore, but all lock systems of the city are ready for use at any moment if needed. Here on the top of the buildings you can see hooks and beams. Most houses near the canals were built as storage houses, so with those hooks and beams people used to hoist up goods, mostly herbs, spices and tobacco.
The story behind it
Locks like this one were essential for Amsterdam: they regulated the water level, protected the city against the tides of the former IJ bay and kept the canals flowing so the water stayed fresh.
Even today Amsterdam’s canals are refreshed several times a week by opening and closing locks, letting clean water from the IJsselmeer flow through the city and push older water out towards the sea.
On your cruise
This is stop 4 of 23 on the Friendship route. Before this you passed Our Lord in the Attic, and the boat continues towards Amsterdam Central Station. Your skipper will point it out as you pass — keep your camera ready, because from the water you see details that are easily missed from the street.
Want to see it in person? All our cruises follow the heart of this route, and with a private cruise you can even ask your skipper to linger a little longer at your favourite spots.
