Apeldoorn - De Freule

‘De Freule’ is not just one of the more than sixty bridges that cross the ‘Apeldoorns Kanaal’. It is a special bridge for two reasons: firstly it is only a pedestrian/bicycle bridge and secondly it is as a matter of fact also an art work. The 90 meter long bridge - made of iron and bronze - was designed by Tirza Verrips, an artist living in Apledoorn. It was built and opened in the year of 2000.

The bridge connects the city centre of Apeldoorn with a new built neighbourhood called ‘Welgelegen’ on the eastern bank of the canal. More than 200 years ago an estate with the same name was located in that area. It was owned by the famous Dutch admiral ‘J.H. van Kinsbergen’, where he was taken care of for many years by three ‘freules’ (dames/peeress). Many years later the bridge was named after the ‘freules’.