What is koningin emmabrug?

Koningin Emmabrug, also known as the Queen Emma Bridge, is a pontoon bridge located in Willemstad, Curaçao. It was originally built in 1888 and was named after Queen Emma, the beloved queen of the Netherlands from 1879 to 1890. The original bridge was a wooden structure, but it was replaced by a steel and wood construction in 1939.

The bridge spans the Sint Anna Bay, connecting the Punda and Otrobanda districts of Willemstad. It is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, offering stunning views of the city's colorful buildings and the harbor.

Koningin Emmabrug is unique in that it is a floating bridge that swings open to allow ships to pass through. The bridge is operated manually by a team of bridge operators who use hydraulic power to swing it open and closed. The bridge is closed to pedestrian traffic during this time and can take up to 20 minutes to fully swing open and close again.

For many years, Koningin Emmabrug was the only way to cross the Sint Anna Bay. However, in 2019, a new pedestrian bridge was opened nearby, providing an additional route for those traveling between Punda and Otrobanda. Despite this, Koningin Emmabrug remains an iconic symbol of Willemstad and an important piece of Curaçao's history and culture.