Mallegatsluis, Lock in Gouda, Netherlands
The Mallegatsluis is a historic lock in Gouda, in the Netherlands, connecting the Hollandsche IJssel river to the Turfsingel canal. It is fitted with lifting gates that rise to let boats pass through, and a footbridge runs across the top of the gates.
The first stone of the lock was laid in 1764, and a thirteen-year-old boy, the son of Gouda's mayor at the time, took part in the ceremony. The structure was altered several times over the centuries and is now listed as a municipal monument.
A small information board near the lock explains how the structure fits into the story of Gouda's waterways. Next to the lock stands a keeper's house, still visible today, which shows that someone once lived here to manage the passage of boats.
The lock sits close to Gouda's city center and is easy to reach on foot. Those who want to watch boats pass through have the best chance during operating hours on a regular weekday.
Near the lock, there is a fossil of a small trilobite, an ancient sea creature, embedded in the surroundings as a reminder that this land was once under the sea. It is easy to miss, but worth looking for during a visit.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
