01. Gemeenlandshuis Spaarndam - Spaarndam

The Gemeenlandshuis in Spaarndam was built in 1641 as a carpentry shed next to the old “Huis te Oosterwaal”. This house was demolished sometime in the course of the 18th century, after which the carpentry shed took over the function of Gemeenlandshuis. It was the meeting place for the board of Rijnland and served as a residence for the supervisor. Well known hydraulic engineers such as Nicolaus Cruquius, Christiaan Brunings and Frederik Willem Conrad lived here.

The house is located along the Spaarndammerdijk, at that time the most important water defence of Rijnland. From this house the dike was monitored. When during storms and high water levels on the IJ there was a chance that the dike could be damaged or even break through, the emergency bell was rung. With this the dike army was called to protect the Spaarndammerdijk. After the closing off of the IJ in 1872, as a result of the digging of the Noordzeekanaal, it lost its emergency function. Today it is still remarkable heritage.