Haarlemmertrekvaart
The Haarlemmertrekvaart is a canal between Amsterdam and Haarlem that leads to Noordwijk .
Up until the 17th century, the most important connection between Amsterdam and Haarlem was via the IJ . The road connection went through Sloten and Vijfhuizen until the beginning of the 16th century . When this connection was washed away by the Haarlemmermeer , all that remained was the winding path over the Spaarndammerdeich.
In 1631 the cities of Amsterdam and Haarlem decided to create a Trekvaart. It was the first Trekvaart in Holland. The canal was in direct connection between the Haarlemmerpoort in Amsterdam and the Amsterdamerpoort in Haarlem. The connection was completed in 1632. A towpath was laid along the canal , which was paved in 1762. This path was the forerunner of today's Haarlemmerweg.
The towing with Treidelschuten in the 17th and 18th centuries, the most convenient, reliable and regular bus transport method in the Netherlands. Traffic was only stopped in the frosty periods. Halfway there, the passengers had to change at a water intake of a windmill. The barges could hold up to 30 passengers and were pulled by horses.
Even when a railway line was opened in 1839, the tow barges continued, but the traffic continued to decrease. Regular shipping was stopped. The canal is still used today for irrigation and drainage and is a drainage canal of the Rijnland Water Association ( Hoogheemraadschap ) between Halfweg and Westerpark .
