The Kuipersbrug drawbridge crosses the Zijdam in Alkmaar and allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Zijdam. For shipping, the bridge is pulled up on one side so that the ships can continue their journey.
"Kuipers bridge
About water tides and benefit tax
It is Tuesday 19 October 2010. Characteristic for Alkmaar are the canals that run mainly in the longitudinal direction through the city center. The Singel runs around the city, in between we find the main canals: the Oudegracht, the Lindegracht, the Verdronkenoord, the Luttik Oudorp and the Zijdam. In between are the cross channels: the Kooltuin, Baangracht and the Voordam. In former times we also had the Laat and the Nieuwesloot, both of which were muted.
For the reclamation of the Schermeer, by Leeghwater in 1643, these canals were directly connected to the Zuiderzee via the Amsterdam IJ. In Alkmaar, the water tides were still noticeable. The canals had an important function for water management, and later also for shipping and trade. The high costs that the city administration had to maintaining the walls and wooden drawbridges were partly financed by a benefit tax to be paid by the citizen.
It was buzzing on the canals. Especially beer breweries, flour mills and seed merchants kept their business here. There were even traffic and conduct rules drawn up that skippers had to keep. In the crisis years before the war, economic growth slowed and large companies were slowly turned away from the city center. What remained were the beautiful canals and nice drawbridges.
In the extension of the Achterdam is the Kuipersbrug, named after the many coopers who used to be active in this street. From the bridge over the Luttik Oudorp you have a beautiful view of the Waagtoren. From this bridge, this Alkmaar attraction has also been photographed countless times!"
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