Magere Brug

Brief Information

The Magere Brug stands out not for its size, but for its design: it is a white wooden drawbridge across the Amstel, built to let water traffic pass while also linking two streets in the center of Amsterdam. Its name translates as “Skinny Bridge,” but the bridge itself has changed over time: built in 1691, it was widened in 1871.

The most important change can be read not in a date, but in the way the bridge is used. Until 2003, all kinds of traffic could cross it, but after restoration only cyclists and pedestrians remained. As a result, it is perceived as a working crossing whose former transport role has become quieter and narrower. A separate trace of public life is the concert on May 5, Dutch Liberation Day, which takes place on the bridge and usually draws Princess Beatrix.

What to Notice Right Away

It makes sense to compare three physical details. The first is the drawbridge structure: the bridge does not simply cross the Amstel, but is designed to open for river passage. The second is its material and color: wood and white paint make the crossing look noticeably lighter than a stone or metal city bridge. The third is the widening in 1871: the current form preserves the trace of the fact that the old crossing had proved insufficient.

The bridge’s position also helps one read it. It connects Kerkstraat and Nieuwe Kerkstraat between Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, meaning it functions as a short link within a dense network of streets, canals, and the river. After the 2003 restoration, only bicycle and pedestrian traffic was permitted on it, so a contrast is especially noticeable in its appearance: the mechanism is designed for water passage, while the deck now serves calmer urban movement.