Kijk in 't Jatbrug
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The Kijk in 't Jat bridge lies across the Lopende Diep and connects the Old and New Kijk in 't Jat streets. Previously, a wooden bridge was located on this spot,...
The Kijk in 't Jatbrug is across the Lopende Diep and connects the Old and New Kijk in 't Jat streets. Previously, a wooden swing bridge dating from 1856 was located at this spot. This was too narrow for car traffic, after which a new bridge was built in 1949-1951. The design for a new bridge had already been completed in 1942. As was the design for the four statues that were to be placed on the bridge. Because of the war, the bridge could not yet be built, but in the meantime sculptor Willem Valk continued working on the statues, which represent four professions that used to be common in the area: a Shipbuilder with a hammer, a Fishwife with a basket on her head, the Choirbearer and the Merchant's Wife. In 1943, the statues were just about finished, but ended up in a warehouse because all non-NSB aldermen of Groningen were dismissed. All preparations for the new bridge were halted. The bridge - and the installation of the statues - was not completed until April 1951.