Three ponds with bridges green heritage
The three ponds and two bridges in ARTIS make up a national monument. They are left over from the Nieuwe Prinsengracht, which used to divide the park in two.
The ferry across Prinsengracht transported visitors through ARTIS until the canal was closed in 1866 and the three ponds and bridges were created.
Ferry across the Prinsengracht
From canal to ponds
From past to present
- present name
- Three ponds with bridges
- old name
- ARTIS pond, ‘t Veentje, the Bird Pool
- built in
- 1866
- designed by
- G.B. Salm
- then
- Nieuwe Prinsengracht, ponds with water birds
- now
- ponds including herons, quacks, cormorants, pink pelicans, Chilean flamingos. islands with red-faced spider monkey and buffed-cheeked gibbon.
‘t Veentje
In 1911, the Reptile House was built next to the northern pond. Then the Bird Pool, also known as ‘t Veentje, was also constructed at this pond. This project brought native plants and animals to ARTIS. ‘t Veentje became a copy of the Naardermeer, where the Netherlands’ first nature reserve was protected by the Vereniging Natuurmonumenten, founded in ARTIS.
Restoration and change
In 2019, the northern pond and bridges were restored. A pavilion was built for thered-faced spider monkeys, and the island they were given ended ‘t Veentje as a symbol of Dutch nature. Nevertheless, the area remains a place for urban wildlife such as herons and cormorants.
