Rienje from Utrecht
Weerdsluis Utrecht
Sunbathing spot with historic view
De Weerdsluis is a lock in the northern part of the city center. It’s a great place to enjoy a sunny afternoon for multiple reasons. First of all, there is a nice publicly accessible wooden duckboard along the canal at the Weerdsingel Oostzijde, opposite the Muzieklokaal. The position of the duckboard makes it a great place to catch the last rays of afternoon sun. On summer days, you will definitely not be alone to enjoy the sunshine here.
Another great asset is the perfect view of the Weerdsluis, a monumental lock from the 19th century. This used to be an important link between the river Vecht and the canals in the city center, and includes two pedestrian crossings. Nowadays, it is mostly used for recreational ships.
The lock is still managed by hand, and it’s fascinating to see the lockkeepers open and close the lock while the water level rises and falls. To make it even better, the Weerdsluis stars the world’s first ever ‘Visdeurbel’, or fish doorbell. To help fish pass the lock, an underwater camera has been set up. The live feed is streamed on visdeurbel.nl. When you see a fish, press the digital doorbell and help the fish pass!
My recommendation is to drop by the nearby Albert Heijn, grab a few drinks and enjoy them on the duckboard. However, if you prefer a fancier setting, you can also enjoy the same views from the terrace of the Muzieklokaal.
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