Ritsumazijl Drawbridge

Ritsumazijl emerged at the end of the 15th century as a second settlement at the intersection of the Hogedijk and the Zijlsterrak canal.
The term zijl in the name refers to the lock that used to be located here in the dike along the Middelzee. Partly due to the construction of the Harlingertrekvaart (later merging into the Van Harinxma Canal), the swing bridge at Ritsumazijl was an important link in the shipping connection between Leeuwarden and northwest Frisia.

The expansion of the Van Harinxma Canal south of Ritsumazijl (including a new bridge) made the old sailing path and swing bridge unnecessary. There was no longer even a passage to Leeuwarden. On September 28, 2018, a new movable bridge opened next to a new village square.

Nice little place.