Leidsevaart

The Leidsevaart is a canal among the cities of Haarlem and Leiden within the Netherlands. It was dug in 1657, making it one of the oldest canals within the Netherlands. It turned into the main method of shipping among Leiden and Haarlem for nearly 2 centuries till the rail connection turned into mounted in the 19th century. The original stops alongside the railway reflected the toll bridges of the canal. The Leidsevaart become the extension of the Haarlemmertrekvaart connecting Amsterdam to Haarlem.

Travel on these canals changed into performed via trekschuit for people, and by barge for items, which were pulled by animals and on occasion via man-energy on a towpath alongside the canal's facet. It become dependable, relaxed and cheap. The pace turned into approximately 7 kilometers in keeping with hour, which became faster than on foot, and extra secure than by way of educate. Many wealthy Amsterdam families had summer season houses along the Leidsevaart or Spaarne River, and they arrived with their heavy belongings through barge, frequently being pulled or sailed all the way to their door, as maximum summer season estates had canals dug for this cause. Even these days the antique canals are visible even though in all likelihood too shallow for a trekschuit.