Poldervaart

The Poldervaart is a partly subdued canal in the Netherlands, between the Schie south of the Kandelaar and the Nieuwe Maas between Schiedam and Vlaardingen.

The Poldervaart was built in 1280 as 'Nieuwe Vaart' and was used for the drainage of the eastern crafts of the Hoogheemraadschap of Delfland: Vrijenban, Hof van Delft, Berkel, Kethel and Pijnacker. The five craftsmen each had their own lock, which were replaced in 1587 by a large lock called the Vijfsluizen. Also at the connection to the Schie was a lock, which could be used by shipping. At the end of September 1574, at the place where the Poldervaart runs in the Delftse Schie, a fierce battle took place between the main force of the Watergeuzen, who were on their way from Brielle, via Schiedam to besieged Leiden, and a fleet unit that had remained loyal to the government in Brussels. This battle is depicted on a tapestry that is kept in the Lakenhal in Leiden.

Along the Poldervaart there were seven windmills that milled the water from the surrounding polders into the Poldervaart. Over the years, the function of the Poldervaart changed. Via the Poldervaart, water from the Nieuwe Maas was let in to supply Delft and The Hague with fresh water. As a result, the water in the Poldervaart was often higher than before. Source: Wikipedia

routeburo