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AFSLUITDIJK

C. LELY, BUREAU ZUIDERZEEWERKEN, 1918-1933, Afsluitdijk, Afsluitdijk

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Cornelis Lely
Bureau Zuiderzeewerken

ARTIST:
Mari Andriessen

BUILDING TYPE:
Civil engineering works


RELATED BUILDINGS:
Monument
Discharge Sluices Den Oever
Discharge Sluices Kornwerderzand
Pumping Station Lely

The construction of the Afsluitdijk signalled the start of drainage of the Zuiderzee, since known as IJsselmeer. The last section of dyke in place is marked by a monument designed by Dudok. A horizontal observation platform looks out over the conquered sea. Counterbalancing this is a half-concrete, half-glass tower with stairs leading up to a lookout post with a view of the dyke and the mud-flats. At each end of the dyke is a series of discharge sluices designed by the architect Roosenburg, consisting of concrete machine rooms in solemn ranks with steel sluice gates slung in-between.