Sashuis, Floodgate house at Minnewater, Belgium
The Sashuis is a stone building at the edge of Minnewater in Bruges that functioned as a lock to control water levels. The structure contains integrated gates and mechanical systems that allowed operators to regulate water flow between different parts of the canal network.
The building was constructed in 1519 as a lock connecting Bruges canals with Minnewater lake. It played a key role in supporting medieval trade activities and managing the city's water system over the following centuries.
The Sashuis is now a protected monument that shows how people in Bruges managed water as part of their daily lives. You can see how this building was essential to keeping the city functioning properly.
The building sits along Minnewater Park and is easily reached on foot, near Sint Janshospital and Begijnhof. The best way to see it is by walking the paths around Minnewater, where you can explore other historical sites at the same time.
The system inside used hand-operated mechanisms to move water between different levels, an ingenious solution for Flanders' flat terrain. This technique allowed boats to travel between areas with different water heights without needing detours, keeping trade routes flowing smoothly.
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