Nieuwe Vaart

From the Kattenburgerplein, in front of the Maritime Museum, the canal runs in a southeastern direction between the Oostelijke Eilanden (Eastern Islands) on the north side and the Kadijken on the south side. The Eastern Islands are separated from the city by the Nieuwe Vaart and can only be reached via bridges over the Nieuwe Vaart. At the Dageraadsbrug, the Nieuwe Vaart connects to the Singelgracht and continues eastwards along the Cruquiskade and the Zeeburgerpad, to the Zeeburgersluis. This eastern part of the Nieuwe Vaart runs parallel to the Singelgracht and forms the southern boundary of the Eastern Docklands (Oostelijk Havengebied).[1]

Along the western part of the canal, on the north side (on the Eastern Islands), a street changes name four times from northwest to southeast: Kattenburgerplein - Kattenburgergracht - Wittenburgergracht - Oostenburgergracht. Together they form the Eilandboulevard A, street called Nieuwevaart runs along the northern part of the south side, along the southern part of the Kruithuisstraat. Nieuwevaart 5-9 is the headquarters of the municipal Transport and Transport Infrastructure Department.

The northern end of the Nieuwe Vaart is marked by the Kattenburger Bridge, which connects the Prins Hendrikkade with the Kattenburgerplein. Halfway the western part of the canal is a bridge called the Overhaalsgang. The Dageraadsbrug, part of a busy traffic square, is located at the point where the Nieuwe Vaart connects with the Singelgracht and turns to the east. There are three bridges across the eastern part of the Nieuwe Vaart, including the bridge in Panamalaan. There is also a railway bridge for the railway line between Amsterdam Centraal station and Amsterdam Muiderpoort railway station.

The Nieuwe Vaart was created in the 17th century when the island of Kattenburg was built outside the dykes. The island crossed so much of the IJ that silting problems arose. The Nieuwe Vaart canal was dug in 1649 to ensure a good flow of water.[2]

Originally there was only one bridge over the Nieuwe Vaart to the Eastern Islands. By lifting this Kattenburger bridge, the residents could shut themselves off from the outside world. This came in handy with the Bijltjesoproer, a riot in 1787 by Orangist ship carpenters in Kattenburg against the patriot city council.[1]

The Nieuwe Vaart also played a role in the 1917 Potato riots. A barge with potatoes was sent via the Nieuwe Vaart to the Entrepotdok on 30 June. A group of women followed the barge and started throwing stones, at which mounted police started shooting in the air.[3]

The western part of the Nieuwe Vaart has been used for shipbuilding and repair since the 17th century. With the arrival of steamships in the second half of the 19th century, more and more port activities were relocated there. The Nieuwe Vaart became the harbor basin for all large ships so that most yards made way for warehouses.[4]

The Nieuwe Vaart Association was established in January 2011. This association represents the interests of the residents of houseboats in the western part of the Nieuwe Vaart. The association was founded by houseboat residents as a result of redevelopment plans by the Centrum district, where most of the berths for houseboats in the Nieuwe Vaart would disappear.[5]

• 
  The canal in 1895
• 
  The Nieuwe Vaart, looking in a southeastern direction. On the left is the Oosterkerk. The De Gooyer windmill can be seen in the distance.
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  Shipyard museum 't Kromhout
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  The Dageraadsbrug, where the canal starts to run parallel to the Singelgracht

The canal has a number of notable historical buildings on it. The Oostkerk, a former 17th-century brick church, which now serves as a concert hall for contemporary and classical music; the Kromhout shipyard museum, which dates back to the 18th century, and the Admiraliteitslijnbaan, a 17th-century building, which is now a convention centre, but originally served as the front building of the ropewalk of the Admiralty of Amsterdam and reputedly housed Peter the Great when he was studying shipbuilding in Amsterdam.

• Canals of Amsterdam

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