Skinny Bridge

Magere brug

Hans-Peter Harmsen

The Skinny bridge or Magere brug as the Dutch say is one of the most beautiful bridges in the city.

Some local people say that the bridge was named after the Mager Sisters (mager is Dutch for skinny). These two well-to-do sisters lived on opposite sides of the river. They are said to have had the wooden bridge built to make it easier to visit one another. The real explanation is more down to earth, however. The bridge used to be so narrow that it was hard for two pedestrians to pass one another. When traffic along the Amstel increased, a wider one replaced the narrow bridge in 1871. Since that time, the word 'skinny' no longer really applies. The fact remains that it is one of the most beautiful bridges of Holland's capital city. Thousands of fairy lights romantically illuminate the Skinny Bridge at night. It is very popular with lovers and photographers.