Han van Zomeren Bridge

You are now standing on the Han van Zomeren Bridge, a pedestrian bridge designed by Piet Kramer. What immediately strikes you are the oriental influences in the design. The red details and the elegant design give the bridge an almost Japanese look.

Take a closer look at the two white pylons. They are a subtle reference to the former Dutch East Indies. The round tops are decorated with star-shaped ornaments – stylised cloves.

From the bridge, you have a beautiful view of the two schools on either side of Pieter Lodewijk Takstraat. The schools were designed by Arend Jan Westerman. The buildings are not exact mirror images of each other, but the symmetry is obvious. Today, they together form the Berlage Lyceum, but when they were completed in 1924, each building had its own function: on the right was the Hogere Burgerschool (secondary school), on the left the Openbare Handelsschool (commercial school).

What is striking is that the architecture looks more modern than many other examples of the Amsterdam School you have seen so far. But look closely — many stylistic features are still there. Can you recognise them?

Finally, take a look at the impressive groups of sculptures on the façades. They are the work of Hildo Krop, who has left his mark here too. The sculptures are not just decoration: they tell stories.

Walk straight ahead from the Han van Zomerenbruggetje into Pieter Lodewijk Takstraat.

Thanks to Frederique Stroom for letting us use her photos for this stop.