Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Donkere sluis
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Donkere Lock
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025
1. Donkere sluis / Donkere Lock Marker
Donkere sluis
De Donkere sluis is in oorsprong één van de oudste Nederlandse sluizen. Vanaf de Hollandsche IJssel kon men via deze sluis op de Oude Rijn en ten slotte op het IJ komen. Van deze vaarroute van Rotterdam naar Amsterdam werd internationaal veel gebruik gemaakt.
In 1778 werd de sluis voorzien van kruisende deuren, een vinding van rond 1600 die alleen nog voorkomt bij deze sluis. Samen met het Amsterdams Verlaat en de Havensluis maakt de Donkere sluis deel uit van een complex; dit drietal vormde met elkaar een bijzonder lange schutsluis met twee sluiskolken. De Donkere sluis had een belangrijke functie bij het 'schuren, dat is het schoonspoelen van de Goudse waterwegen. Sinds 1954 is de sluis buiten gebruik gesteld en als waterstaatkundig monument gerestaureerd.
The Donkere lock is originally one of the oldest Dutch locks. From the Hollandsche IJssel one could reach the Oude Rijn and finally the IJ via this lock. This shipping route from Rotterdam to Amsterdam was widely used internationally.
In 1778 the lock was provided with crossing doors, an invention from around
this page online
Erected by ANWB Fonds, Provincie Zuid-Holland. (Marker Number 35156/006.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
Location. 52° 0.608′ N, 4° 42.637′ E. Marker is in Gouda, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is at the intersection of Oosthaven and Dubbele Buurt, on the left when traveling north on Oosthaven. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Oosthaven 3, Gouda, Zuid-Holland 2801 PB, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025
2. Donkere sluis / Donkere Lock and marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rotterdamsche Bank (1921) (a few steps from this marker); Selma Maass-Strauss (a few steps from this marker); Woonhuis Weldoenster van Erasmus / Home of the Benefactor of Erasmus (within shouting distance of this marker); Catharina Gasthuis / Catharina Guesthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Patriciërswoning / Patrician House (within shouting distance of this marker); Achter de Kerk / “Behind the Church” (within shouting distance of this marker); Magazijn De Zon / “The Sun Warehouse” (within shouting distance of this marker); Sint-Janskerk (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gouda.
Also see . . . Donkere Sluis (Gouda) (Wikipedia, in Dutch). Overview (in translation):
The Donkere Sluis in Gouda, in the Dutch province of South Holland, is the oldest lock in this city. The lock is located in a bend (the Dubbele Buurt) of the Gouwe, which flows into the Hollandsche IJssel via De Haven. Its history goes back to a distant past, at least to the 13th century. It is even assumed that the lock already existed in 1065, if not earlier. It is assumed that a dam was built in the Gouwe at this location, containing a first lock.(Submitted on June 21, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
