Exploring Tilburg's Secret Waterways!

Beautiful Photos Of The Wilhelmina Canal's Bridges and Locks from Tilburg.
We're on a mission to capture the most stunning views of the Wilhelmina Canal's historic bridges and locks. Join us on this photographic journey as we explore the unique charm and scenic beauty of this iconic Dutch waterway.

00:00 Intro Bolpanorama - Tilburg
00:18 Omgeving Bajonetsluis II
00:48 Fietsbrug Medemblikpad
00:53 Fietsbrug Poseidon Pad
01:03 Monumentale Bajonetsluis III
01:48 Dr. Deelenlaan kantelbrug
02:03 Waalstraat kantelbrug
02:13 Kantelbrug Oude Lind
02:28 Kantelbrug Heikantsebrug
02:43 Enschotsestraat kantelbrug
03:03 Hefbrug Bosscheweg
03:23 Oisterwijksebaan Draaibrug
03:49 Pius brug Handmatige Draaibrug
04:14 Trappisten kantebrug
04:34 Music and 360 Video
05:37 Einde

Stretching 68 kilometers through the heart of the Netherlands, the Wilhelmina Canal is a perfect example of Dutch ingenuity, a waterway lined with historic bridges and monumental locks. For over a century, it’s shaped the landscape and the people who live here. Today, I'm taking you on a photographic road trip to capture the unique charm of this iconic waterway. We’re on a mission to find the best views, understand the history locked in its stone and steel, and turn all of that into a series of photographs. Join me, and let's explore the Wilhelmina Canal through my camera lens.

Alright, here's the game plan. We’re going to trace a section of this historic canal, starting with one of its oldest and most important pieces of engineering. From there, we’ll make our way toward the city of Tilburg to see how the canal grew up, and we’ll wrap up our day chasing that perfect golden hour light at a spot that I think is going to be pretty special. The challenge today isn’t just to see these places, but to really feel them. To find the right angles, the best light, and the little details that tell a hundred-year-old story. Our journey starts right here, in Oosterhout, at a lock that was critical to the canal's existence: Lock I.

The Historic Lock
You can feel the history here. This is the site of the original Lock I. While the lock itself has been replaced and modernized to handle bigger ships, its story is fundamental to the canal. When they started digging the canal in the early 20th century, this section was a huge challenge. To deal with the significant change in water level, the engineers designed Lock I as a "staircase lock"—basically two locks connected together, stepping ships up to the next level. Construction on the original lock began back in 1914.

Just try to picture it: the rumble of early machinery and the sheer manpower it took to carve this waterway out of the ground. The first canal was built for ships up to 500 tons, a total lifeline for industry. Standing here, I want my photos to capture that sense of foundational strength. I'm aiming to show the massive scale of the modern lock, but with a nod to the history it’s built on. I'm hunting for textures—the cold, hard concrete, the rust on the steel, the way the water churns when the gates open and close. It’s about finding the beauty in how it works.

The Journey to the City and its Bridges
With the story of the lock in our back pocket, we’re heading east and following the canal toward Tilburg. This stretch of water is our roadmap, and the journey itself is half the fun. The towpaths you find along most Dutch canals are amazing for a bike ride or a walk, and they offer a totally different point of view. From the water’s edge, the landscape just unfolds. You start to notice the little things: the houseboats with their flower pots, the birds that call this place home, and, of course, the bridges.

You could do a whole series just on Dutch bridges. With this much water everywhere, the Dutch are masters of bridge design. You’ve got fixed bridges, lift bridges, swing bridges—each one solving the puzzle of how to let people and cars cross the water without stopping the boats on it.

If you enjoyed this trip down the Wilhelmina Canal, please give the video a thumbs up; it really does help the channel. And of course, make sure you’re subscribed for more adventures like this one. I'd love to hear your ideas for another Dutch waterway or historic spot to explore next. Drop them in the comments below. Until next time, keep exploring, and keep capturing the beauty around you.

   • Piushaven en Wilhelminakanaal 100 jaar - 1...  

Muziek van: Mozart - Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 - Menuetto Allegretto
   • Mozart - Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550...  


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