Skinny Bridge in Amsterdam, built across the Amstel River, is one of the popular tourist attractions of the city.
Skinny Bridge in Amsterdam or the Magere Bridge as it is locally known is one of the most beautiful bridges that embellish the landscape of this beautiful canal city. The bridge has been erected over the Amstel River.
The Legend of the Skinny Bridge
The history of the Skinny Bridge is very interesting and has a story of its own. The legend goes that two ladies who were known as the Mager sisters lived on either side of the Amstel River. It is believed that the bridge was built to enable their smooth passage from one side to the other.
The bridge came to be known as Mager, the English meaning of which is Skinny. Another popular belief behind the naming of the bridge goes that it acquired
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its name on account of the fact that it was two constricted for the smooth movement of two way traffic.However, the dimensions of the bridge were broadened in 1871 and it was no longer as narrow as it used to be. It is now suitable for the movement of bicycles as well as people.
Design of the Skinny Bridge
The Skinny Bridge was erected in adherence to the double-swipe balanced bridge style. Bridges built in accordance with this style are rare in Amsterdam and it is one of the remaining few. Both parts of the Skinny Bridge of Amsterdam can be folded simultaneously which thereby results to the opening up of the bridge. To facilitate the opening of the bridge, counterweights are put on either side so that the correct balance is maintained.
The Skinny Bridge or the Magere Brug opens quite frequently, almost every 20 minutes. This calls for the people who are traveling across it to be extra careful.
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