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

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Aan het einde van de middeleeuwen waren er maar liefst 10 spuisluizen en een schutsluis in de dijk. De vele spuisluizen vormden echter zwakke schakels in de waterkering. Deze spoelden dan ook soms weg, waarna het getij vrij spel kreeg. Het opmerkelijke van de spuisluizen was, dat deze alleen bedoeld waren om het water van de binnenliggende waterschappen en polders te spuien op het IJ. Van enige samenwerking tussen de waterschappen en steden was tot 100 jaar geleden weinig tot geen sprake. Zo moest het waterschap van Woerden het water, dat zij op Rijnland loosde, ook zelf weer lozen door haar eigen spuisluis in Spaarndam.

In 2020 is de Woerdersluis overgedragen van het Stichtse Rijnlanden (rechtsopvolger van het Waterschap van Woerden) aan Rijnland. De Woerdersluis, is gerenoveerd in 1611 en in 2025 gerestaureerd.

(English translation:)
By the end of the Middle Ages, there were no fewer than ten drainage sluices and one navigation lock in the dike. However, the many drainage sluices constituted weak points in the flood defense system; they would sometimes wash away, allowing the tide to surge in

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unchecked. A notable feature of these drainage sluices was that they were intended solely to discharge water from the inland water boards and polders into the IJ. Until a century ago, there was little to no cooperation between the water boards and the cities; for instance, the Woerden Water Board had to discharge the water it had released into the Rijnland area a second time through its own drainage sluice at Spaarndam.

In 2020, the Woerdersluis was transferred from Stichtse Rijnlanden (the legal successor to the Woerden Water Board) to Rijnland. The Woerdersluis was renovated in 1611 and restored in 2025.

Erected 2026 by Gemeente Haarlem.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2020.

Location. 52° 24.809′ N, 4° 40.719′ E. Marker is in Spaarndam Gem. Haarlem, Noord-Holland (North Holland), in Haarlem. It is in Spaarndam. It is on Taanplaats. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Taanplaats 2, Spaarndam Gem Haarlem, Noord-Holland 2063 JP, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European

Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026

2. Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice Marker - wide view

Taken from the top of the sluice, looking south. The marker is visible here standing in front of the shrubbery/tree.

Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice (here, next to this marker); Palingrokerij Balm en palinghandel / Balm Eel Smokehouse and Eel Trading (a few steps from this marker); 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spaarndam Gem. Haarlem.

Marker photo: view of the Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice from the Spaarne. image. Click for full size.

3. Marker photo: view of the Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice from the Spaarne.

Woerdersluis, Spaarndam image. Click for full size.

J. van Koot, courtesy Noord-Hollands Archief (Inventaris 36634), 1913

4. Woerdersluis, Spaarndam

The postcard depicts the top of south side of the sluice.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on July 7, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.

Woerdersluis⎯⎯⎯Woerder Sluice

Woerdersluis
⎯⎯⎯
Woerder Sluice