The Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)

The Magere Brug, known in English as the Skinny Bridge, is one of Amsterdam's most photographed landmarks. This white-painted wooden drawbridge crosses the Amstel River at Kerkstraat, linking the Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht neighborhoods in the heart of the city.

Its double-leaf design, delicate silhouette, and evening light display have made it a favorite for locals and visitors alike, whether they're strolling past, cycling over it, or watching it rise from a canal cruise below.

Early Origins

A wooden footbridge is believed to have first crossed the Amstel at this spot around 1670. By 1691, it had been formalized as the Kerkstraatbrug, a structure with thirteen small arches. The bridge was so narrow that two pedestrians could barely pass each other, and locals began calling it "magere brug," meaning skinny bridge, a nickname that eventually replaced its original name entirely.

Growth and Rebuilding

As traffic along the Amstel increased through the 19th century, the original structure deteriorated. It was demolished in 1871 and replaced with a wider, nine-arched wooden bridge to keep pace with the city's growth.

The Modern Bridge

Half a century later, that bridge also needed replacing. Architect Piet Kramer was asked to design a new crossing, and rather than switching to steel and stone, the city chose to preserve the traditional look. The current bascule bridge dates to 1934, with a major renovation following in 1969. Until 1994, bridge keepers raised and lowered it by hand; it now operates automatically.

• Listed as a Rijksmonument (Dutch national heritage site) since 2002
• Sits within Amsterdam's historic canal district, part of the city's UNESCO-recognized canal ring area
• Registered as a protected municipal monument
• Featured in the 1971 James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever," cementing its status as an international film location

The Magere Brug is a traditional Dutch bascule bridge, meaning its central span lifts to let boat traffic through. Unlike most Amsterdam bridges, where only one leaf rises, the Magere Brug is a double-leaf design: both sides lift simultaneously in a balanced, seesaw-like motion.

Built from white-painted wood, the bridge keeps the historic character of the original 17th-century design even though the current structure dates to 1934. At night, around 1,200 light bulbs outline its frame, giving it a soft glow that reflects across the Amstel and makes it one of the city's most recognizable nighttime silhouettes.

• Traditional double-leaf bascule mechanism
• White-painted wooden construction
• Illuminated by roughly 1,200 light bulbs each evening
• Opens multiple times daily for river traffic

The bridge's name has inspired more than one story over the centuries. The most common explanation is simply practical: the original 17th-century crossing was so narrow that "skinny bridge" was an obvious nickname.

A more romantic legend persists alongside it. According to local tradition, two sisters from the Mager family lived on opposite banks of the Amstel and had a narrow wooden bridge built so they could visit one another more easily. Whether or not the tale is historically accurate, it has helped turn the bridge into a popular spot for proposals, and many visitors still believe a kiss on the Magere Brug brings lasting love.

• Walk or cycle across, since the bridge has been reserved for pedestrians and cyclists since 2003
• Watch it open for passing boats, which happens several times a day
• View it from a canal cruise passing along the Amstel, since sightseeing boats are low enough to pass beneath it when closed
• Photograph it after dark, when its light bulbs are switched on and reflect across the water

The Skinny Bridge is worth seeing at any hour, but the light changes its character considerably. During the day, it's easiest to appreciate the mechanics of the drawbridge and watch it open for boat traffic on the Amstel.

In the evening, once its light bulbs switch on, the bridge takes on a softer, more romantic feel, especially during blue hour just after sunset when there's still some color left in the sky. Early mornings tend to be quieter, with fewer crowds and calmer water for photos.

• Crossing the bridge is free and open at all hours
• The bridge can get busy with cyclists, so pedestrians should stay alert while crossing or stopping for photos
• For the best night photos, arrive around blue hour rather than well after dark
• Combine a visit with a canal cruise for a different perspective from the water
• Exact opening times for boat traffic vary, so don't plan a visit purely around seeing it open

The Magere Brug sits close to several other well-known Amsterdam sights, making it easy to combine with a longer walk through the canal district.

• Hermitage Amsterdam, an extension of the State Hermitage Museum in Russia with rotating art exhibitions
• Theater Carré, a historic theater venue directly along the Amstel
• Rembrandtplein, a lively square known for its restaurants and nightlife
• The Amstel River waterfront, popular for walking and cycling routes through central Amsterdam