Nederland - Amersfoort, Brug over ‘t Havik

Amersfoort is an old medieval city. Around 1300 a first city wall was constructed. When the city grew strongly in the 14th century, more land was needed and between 1380 and 1450 a wider, second city wall and city canals were built. In particular, the Langegracht (see PiP2 and 3) and the Havik (main picture and PiP1) cross the city centre.

Around the Havik, the medieval harbour used to be located. The name Havik can therefore be translated as Havenwijk (Harbour area). The oldest mention is from 1390. Nowadays, it is a neighbourhood with beautiful façades and monuments.

One of them is the Havikbrug, which dates from the year 1642. The bridge is popularly called Heksenbrug (Witches’Bridge). The bridge owes its name to a story that tells that at this spot, women suspected of witchcraft had to proof if they were a witch or not.