The bridge owes its name to a wooden blue bridge that was at this spot from around 1600 until 1883 when it was replaced by this new stone bridge. The new bridge was inspired by the bridges over the Seine in Paris. The stone bridge has three openings for boats and is richly decorated. The bases are shaped like ships bows and the lantern columns up top are adorned with leaf-motifs, masks and the Imperial Crown of Austria. Emperor Maximilian 1st received big loans from the city in the 1500s and as gratitude allowed his crown to be incorporated into the city’s coat of arms.
Looking from the bridge to the north we can see on the right hand side the Stopera and the tower of the Zuiderkerk, while on the left side along the Amstel are the 'dancing houses' – houses whose foundations have caused them to lean sideways as well as forward – and a little further in the distance the peak of the Munt Tower. While the views to the south include the Magere Brug, the Hermitage and Carré on the left.