Oudezijds Kolk

The Oudezijds Kolk is a narrow sluice that runs from the Oosterdok to the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. The Kolksluis (Kolk Sluice) is one of Amsterdam’s oldest locks still in function dating from the Middle Ages. The main functions of the Kolk Sluice are the protection against high tide and refreshing the water in the canals. When the locks were closed, the water of the river Amstel would fill the canals, raising the water level. By opening the locks at low tide water would rush to the sea and thus the canals would be refreshed. In Dutch, this process is called spuien (sluicing). At the Oudezijds Kolk are a few 17th and 18th century warehouses. At number 5 you find one of Amsterdam’s oldest warehouses (1617): Het wijnpakhuis Malaga (wine warehouse Malaga), a national monument.