The Zaan region
The Zaanstreek is an area with a rich cultural and industrial history. Much of the heritage has been preserved. It has now been given a new purpose in many cases. For a variety of tourist information, you can consult the glossy 'Ervaar de Zaanstreek' look into. The paper version is available free of charge at the lock.
Zaanstad
The Hondsbossche Sluis is located in the (catering industry)center of Zaandam. From the north, the lock is on the right side of the lock. On the left is the Wilhelminasluis and in the middle is the Zaangemaal.
From the south, the lock is on the left side of the Zaan. On the right the Wilhelminasluis and in the middle the Zaangemaal.
From the day jetty on the south side of the lock, all kinds of sights can be easily reached on foot.
For more information on the most visited attractions:
- The Czar Peter House where the Russian ruler stayed from August 18 to 26, 1697.
- Claude Monet's studio. The French impressionist stayed at Hotel De Doelen for four months. During that period he painted 25 views of the Zaan and the Zaan region. The lock can be seen on four of them.i
- The 70 stacked Zaanse houses by architect Wilfried van Winden from 2010. This architectural style is decisive for the major development project of the center of Zaandam. Inverdan is an urban redevelopment program for the center of Zaandam. Construction has been underway since 2003 on the basis of a master plan designed by architect Sjoerd Soeters of architectural firm PPHP. The project stands out because the traditional Zaanse architectural style has been applied in an enlarged way for the facades of various buildings. The city canal, filled with sand in the nineteenth century, has been excavated again. The objective is to create a modern metropolitan center with offices, shops, public buildings such as a town hall and a library, homes, a hotel and a public transport hub.
Connections
The Hondsbossche Sluis can be reached in many ways:
- From the north by car to the end of the A7 (Zaans Medisch Centrum), follow signs Centrum.
- From the South via the A8, exit Zaandam Zuid, follow signs Centrum.
- Parking at the Burcht or under the Zaan Theater.
- By train to Zaandam Station, then a 10-minute walk.
- By bus 392 Amsterdam Metro North – Zaandam Station, stop Gedempte Gracht.
- With bus 394 Amsterdam Central Station – Zaandam Station, stop Gedempte Gracht.
- With bus 391 Amsterdam Central Station-Zaanse Schans, stop Het Mennistenerf.
Along the Zaan
Information about the heritage and history of the Zaan region can be found (among others) at:
- The website of the association Zaans Heritage which publishes a historical magazine every four years.
- The website of it Zaans Museum.
- The cultural heritage village The Zaanse Schans.
- The website of the association Zaans Industrial Heritage.
- The website of the association Zaansche mill.
Lots of footage can be found in it Zaan municipal archive. Everything before 1950 can be viewed royalty-free, but not everything can be downloaded yet. That is still being worked on.
The industrial buildings on the banks of the Zaandam are being replaced at a rapid pace by housing and other urban developments. This results in a very diverse urban development and architecture. For those who can sit down for a moment, AT5 has produced a film about the changes of it Zaanse cityscape.
The Sloishois
The facade of the current lock house consists of an exact reproduction of the map of Zaandam from 1812, which is cut out of the steel skin. The skin consists of 6 mm thick Corten steel: this gets a rusty surface without rusting further. When it is dark it is illuminated and the house works like a lantern. The roof has the characteristic slope angle for the Zaan region, based on the 3/4/5 ratio. The tilt of many a wooden houses in the peat is also shown by means of the many angles that are not at right angles. The design is by Studio Kramer.
The intention was to give the house a ninety degree twist after the renovation of the Wilhelminasluis was completed. Then it will lie where it really belongs: alongside, with its feet in the Zaan. That promise has not yet been fulfilled.
EN 
NL