The Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge)

The wealthy sisters Mager financed this bridge in 1670, supposedly because they each lived on one side of the river Amstel and wanted to have coffee together without having to ride a boat. Nowadays the Magere Brug, which translates as the Skinny Bridge, is one of the most photographed sights in Amsterdam, not only during the day but also at night when it’s beautifully lit by thousands of lights.

Location of the Magere Brug

The Magere Brug connects the Kerkstraat (Church Street) with the Nieuwe Kerkstraat (New Church Street) and is located between the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht. It is bridge number 242, probably the best known bridge of the more than 1,200 bridges that Amsterdam has. Until 2003 the bridge was open to car traffic, but since then only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to cross the Magere Brug. Photographing the beautiful view of the river Amstel from the bridge became a lot less safer since.