Welcome to Maassluis

Join us now for a historical tour through our city. By following the route along the monuments found here you can leisurely stroll through the heart of Maassluis.

Continue the tour by clicking on a sign or choose one of the many monuments listed on the left side.


 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Monsterse Sluis

(Monster Sluice)


When the Maasdijk (Maas Dyke) was constructed in the 14th century the sluices were originally built as "air vents" which could be sealed off within the dyke. During low tide, if necessary, the valves could be raised in order to precipitate the flow of excess water out of the polder. This process is known as "ventilating".

 

In 1602 the municipality of Monster commissioned a drainage sluice to be built here. In 1889 this sluice was adapted to operate as a "lift-lock".
At the side of the "Havenkom" (inner-harbour) a memorial stone can be found which shows the "high water mark" reached during the flood of 1953. The highest water level of 1953 was 3,85 + NAP. For your information: the top of the Maas Dyke is 4,70 + NAP.

Co-operation between the various municipalities was not at it's best in the 11th and 12th centuries. Consequently, it was difficult to reach an agreement regarding the joint drainage of excess water. When the municipality of Vlaardingen complained that the "Vlaardingse Vaart" (Vlaardingen Canal) was being overburdened it was suggested that each municipality take care of their own drainage. And so the brooks from the Vlaardingen Canal to the Maas River were created. On the site of the starting-point of these waterways out to the Maas River stands present-day Maassluis (Maas Sluice). Subsequently, the municipalities of Monster and Wateringen constructed the Monster and Wateringen Sluices. The municipalities of Maasland, Naaldwijk and Voorburg were, however, able to reach an agreement and combined to excavate "de Boonervliet" (the Booner Brook). Nevertheless, they decided to build three adjoining, yet separate, sluices.