Draft canals (heritage line)

The water connection with train barges and towpaths between the emerging Dutch cities of Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam, Schiedam, Maassluis and Vlaardingen.

The drakschuit was the main means of public transport in the low-lying parts of the Netherlands, especially South Holland, for over 200 years. How did the network of canals come about and what did a journey by canal barge look like? Which traces can still be found today?

Every day, drakschuiten transported thousands of passengers between Holland's cities according to a fixed timetable. To strengthen their economy and increase accessibility, cities like Leiden, The Hague, Delft, Gouda, Rotterdam, Schiedam, Amsterdam and others invested heavily in the construction of canals and the necessary infrastructure.

To this end, they built reinforced towpaths, bridges, toll gates and guardhouses. For a long time, travelling by barge was a must for foreign travellers; nowhere else was public transport so well organised.

This is part of the heritage lines