Utrecht, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

De Zakkendrager / The Porters

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2016

1. De Zakkendrager / The Porters Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Achter deze poort lag de gildekamer van de zakkendragers. Zij waren in dienst van de stad en sjouwden zakken met graan, turf en kolen uit schepen. Er werd gedobbeld om het werk te verdelen. Na 1622 kwam het gilde in twee groepen bijeen. De Benedeneinders vestigden zich noordelijker (en de Zakkendragerssteeg), de Boveneinders, bleven hier. Uit dat jaar stamt het beeldje, waarvan hier een replica hangt. Links van de zakkendrager liggen twee zakken, rechts staat een korenmaat met strĳkstok.

[English translation:]
Behind this door was the Porters' guild room. Employed by the city, they unloaded and carried bags of corn, peat and coal from ships. Workload was distributed by a roll of the dice. After 1622 the guild met in two groups. The "Lowers" settled further north (on Zakkendrager Lane), while the "Uppers" remained here. From that year dates the figurine, of which a replica is hanging here. To the left of the porter are two sacks, the right is a bushel with iron rod.

Erected by The ANWB, VVV.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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Location. 52° 5.252′ N, 5° 7.289′ E. Marker is in Utrecht. Marker is on Oudegracht just south of Haverstraat, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Oudegracht 235, Utrecht 3511 NL, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Voormalig Klooster en Later Weeshuis / Former Monastery and Later Orphanage (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Jacobsgasthuis / St. James' Guest House (within shouting distance of this marker); Doopsgezinde Kerk / Mennonite Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Geboortehuis van Paus Adriaan / Birthplace of Pope Adrian (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mieropskameren / Mierop's Homes (about 120 meters away); Het Duitse Huis / The German House (about 180 meters away); Claustraal Huis van Oudemunster / Canon House of the Former Oudmunster Church (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Eloyen Gasthuis / Eloyen Almshouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Utrecht.

Also see . . . De Zakkendrager - History (De Zakkendrager Restaurant). De zakkendragers or sack carriers formed the guild of transporters in the Middle ages....The front of our restaurant
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2016

2. De Zakkendrager Beeldje / The Porters Figurine
was known as the Guildhouse of the zakkendragers; a part of a larger complex located between the Oudegracht and the Zakkendragerssteeg. This was where the work was shared out and also a meeting place for the zakkendragers which over the years evolved into a cafe....For hundreds of years the goods barges arrived at the Oudegracht canal and were unloaded into the wharf cellars. From here everything was carried on the backs of the zakkendragers to the market that, to this day, is still situated on Vredenburg. (Submitted on December 11, 2016.)

De Zakkendrager / The Porters Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2016

3. De Zakkendrager / The Porters Marker - Wide View

The marker and figurine are visible here, just above the stairway leading from the canal to the street-level.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.