Spaarndam in Spaarndam Gem. Haarlem in Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Woerdersluis
⎯⎯⎯
Woerder Sluice
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
1. Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice Marker
Erected by the ANWB, VVV.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1611.
Location. 52° 24.808′ N, 4° 40.72′ E. Marker is in Spaarndam Gem. Haarlem, Noord-Holland (North Holland), in Haarlem. It is in Spaarndam. It is at the intersection of IJdijk and Taanplaats, on the left when traveling west on IJdijk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spaarndam Gem Haarlem, Noord-Holland 2063 JP, 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Het haarlemse huis / The Haarlem House (within shouting distance of this marker); Spaarndam (within shouting distance of this marker); Hulpsecretarie / Municipal Branch Office (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); De Grote Haarlemmersluis / The Grote Haarlemmersluis (about 240 meters away); Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnland House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnlandshuis (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Verenigde Binnenpolders / United Inner Polders (approx. half a kilometer away); Molen de Veer / The Veer Windmill (approx. 2.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spaarndam Gem. Haarlem.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
2. Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice Marker - wide view
The marker is located on top of the sluice, on the southwest portion, next to the shrubs. It is easy to miss.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
3. Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice Marker - wider view
On top of the sluice is a statue of the fictional boy-at-the-dike, depicting him plugging a hole with his hand. As Wikipedia notes, For tourism purposes, statues of the fictional dike-plugging boy have been erected in Dutch locations such as Spaarndam, Madurodam and Harlingen. The statues are sometimes mistakenly titled "Hans Brinker"; others are known as "Peter of Haarlem". The story of the dike-plugging boy is, however, not widely known in the Netherlandsit is a piece of American, rather than Dutch, folklore.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
4. View from north side of the sluice
J. van Koot, courtesy Noord-Hollands Archief, 1913
5. Woerdersluis, Spaarndam
The postcard depicts the top of south side of the sluice, prior to the installation of the statue and marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 7, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
