Torensluis, Stone arch bridge in Amsterdam-Centrum, Netherlands.
Torensluis is a wide stone arch bridge crossing the Singel canal in the center of Amsterdam. It carries foot and cycle traffic across the water, and its arched vaults underneath, once used as prison cells, are now open for exhibitions.
The bridge was built in 1648 and originally had a tower with a clock that kept time for the surrounding neighborhood. The tower was torn down in 1829, but the bridge itself survived and still carries the original name.
A statue of Multatuli, the Dutch writer who openly criticized colonial rule in Indonesia, stands on the bridge for passersby to see. The pedestal includes text that helps visitors understand why his work still sparks debate in the Netherlands today.
The bridge sits in the heart of Amsterdam's city center and is easy to reach on foot or by bike. Those wanting to visit the exhibition spaces in the vaults below should check in advance whether they are open on the day of the visit.
Looking at the bridge surface, lighter stones outline the exact footprint of the demolished tower in the pavement. This marking on the ground shows the original shape of the structure without any need for a sign.
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