Koninginnensluis, Canal lock in Vreeswijk, Netherlands.
Koninginnensluis is a lock in Vreeswijk with two parallel chambers, each roughly 120 meters long and 12 meters wide. The structure uses basalt blocks and brick walls to create a solid facility that raises and lowers vessels between different water levels.
The lock was built between 1882 and 1886 as part of the Merwedekanaal project to reduce bottlenecks at the nearby Oude Sluis. This project addressed growing ship traffic and improved water routes in the region.
Two bridges crossing the lock bear the names of Dutch queens: the Wilhelminabrug to the north and the Emmabrug to the south. These names reflect important figures in the nation's history and shape how visitors experience the place.
Visitors can view the facility from walkways and bridges, with the best viewing times during the warmer months. It is helpful to wear flat shoes and watch for uneven surfaces around the structure.
A commemorative stone near the eastern staircase displays the inscription 'Koninginnensluis 4 augustus 1892' marking the date of official recognition. This stone is easy to miss, but it is worth seeking out as it documents an important moment in the site's history.
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