Stelling van Amsterdam - Willem I-sluis

The Willem I Lock, officially known as "Schutsluis Willem I," is located opposite Amsterdam Central Station and connects the IJ River with the North Holland Canal. The lock was built in 1824 to a design by Jan Blanken as the first section of the canal between Amsterdam and Den Helder. In addition to this lock, locks were also constructed at Purmerend, Zijpe, and Den Helder. The Willem I Lock and the one at Purmerend may have been the first double locks in the Netherlands.

Due to increasing shipping traffic, the larger Willem III Lock was constructed in 1864, followed by renovation of the Willem I Lock (1865–1868). The lock was given two chambers: a large one (now 65.08 × 14.75 m) and a small one (50.25 × 5.3 m). The large chamber is still in use; the small one lost its fan gates in 1865 and has been out of service since 1992.

In 1995, management was transferred to the province of North Holland. After being granted national monument status in 2009, the province decided to restore the small lock, with plans for reuse and remote operation.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: TracesofWar