Wilhelminasluis, Lock in Zaandam, Netherlands
Wilhelminasluis is a lock in Zaandam that connects different sections of the Zaan waterway for commercial and recreational traffic. This structure serves as a working passage where boats of various sizes move between different water levels throughout the day.
Named after Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the lock was built during the industrial development of the Zaan region. It became essential infrastructure that supported the maritime trade which shaped the local economy.
The lock stands as a demonstration of Dutch water management expertise, connecting different sections of Zaandam while supporting both commercial and recreational navigation.
You can watch the lock from walkways along the banks or from nearby bridges at various vantage points. Visiting during daylight hours and fair weather gives you the best view of the structure and its operation.
The lock stands out for managing water level differences between sections of the waterway that were historically separate passages. Its operation reveals the engineering solutions developed to connect different parts of the region's water system.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.