Did you know this about Rotterdam
Witte de Withstraat
Witte de With (28 March 1599 – 8 November 1658) is a disregarded naval hero of the Golden Age . Although his accomplishments were significant enough to earn him a place in Dutch history, he was in the shadow of popular contemporaries like Hein and Tromp.
In the service of the United East Indian Company (VOC), Witte de With sailed around the world, fought against the Dunkirk Privateers, the Second Spanish Armada, the Portuguese, English and Swedish . He had strategic insight and great knowledge of maritime affairs. Google Maps
Desiderius Erasmus
The statue of Desiderius Erasmus (1467–1536), in Grotekerkplein at the foot of the Grote Kerk (or Sint Laurenskerk) in Rotterdam, is the oldest statue in the Netherlands. This bronze statue of Hendrick de Keyser dates back to 1622 and is a national monument. Desiderius Erasmus is perhaps the most famous philosopher from the Netherlands.
Erasmus always called himself a child of Rotterdam. A short introduction to who Erasmus was is almost impossible. Erasmus can be described as a Christian humanist, critic of the Roman Catholic Church, and a philologist of classical texts and of the Bible, as well as a pacifi st, producer of critical texts, and a philosopher. Google Maps
Laurenskerk (Laurens Church)
This Gothic church is the only medieval relic in the city center of Rotterdam. The church was built between 1449 and 1525 and is thus the oldest building in Rotterdam. Originally, Laurenskerk was Roman Catholic but during the Protestant Reformation in 1572 the church was transformed into a Protestant church.
In the church you can see tombs of Dutch naval heroes. It is one of the few buildings that survived the bombing of Rotterdam during World War II. Address: Grotekerkplein 27 (Google Maps), www.laurenskerkrotterdam.nl
City Triangle
The area between Coolsingel, Goudsesingel and the former location of the Maas waterway is known as the City Triangle. This is the heart of the city of Rotterdam
Binnenrotte
Rotterdam originated from Binnenrotte, where once a little river named the Rotte flowed. A dam was built around 1270 and this resulted in a small fi sherman’s settlement . Trade and shipping fl ourished, and thus ‘Rotterdam’ grew at a rapid pace
Napoleon Bonaparte
The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte spent a few nights in Rotterdam in 1811, looking at shipyards and harbours. He did have the nicest place: he slept in the Schielandshuis!
Tsar Alexander I of Russia also visited the Schielandshuis a few years later; he refused to enter the room where Napoleon had slept. Address: Korte Hoogstraat 31 (Google Maps)
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
In front of the Stadhuis (City Hall) on the right side under the mayor’s room there is a statue of councilor Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547–1619). Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was one of the most important statesmen in the Netherlands. He was the chief political leader at the time when the country was in revolt (1568–1648) against Spain.
The survival of the country hung by a silk thread. Oldenbarnevelt ensured that there was military and fi nancial support from abroad and devised a way to govern the unmanageable country. In addition, he accepted the function of Rotterdam’s councilor in 1577. In this function he also represented the city in the government of the province of Holland, the Staten van Holland.
Sea level
About 90% of Rotterdam is below sea level? Rotterdam stays safe thanks to a smart system of dykes, dams and living with the water.
De Hef
The Koningshavenbrug is also known as “De Hef”. The bridge was first used in 1878. Nowadays it’s no more than a monument. Next to the Koningshavenbrug lies a second bridge, the Koninginnebrug (Queen’s Bridge), which was put into service in 1929.
The Koninginnebrug is a bascule bridge and it lies across the Koningshaven. The bridge provides access to the Noordereiland. Google Maps
Around 1270
The first dam was built in 1270? In the river Rotte, near where Hoogstraat and Binnenrotte are now. The houses built on and around the dam marked the start of the city of Rotterdam. Rotterdam also owes its name to this history!
From the end of the 19th century the Rotte was filled up, now you’ll find the big Binnenrotte / Blaak market here every week.
Hotel New York
Located in the former headquarters of the Holland America Line. This is the place where long ago thousands of emigrants, full of hope of a better life, left for North America. The iconic building has been glittering on the Kop van Zuid since 1901. It’s a building with a very important history. Address: Koninginnenhoofd 1 (Google Maps), www.hotelnewyork.com
The White House
The White House is the first skyscraper in Europe. Built in 1898, this 43-metre-high building was for a long time the tallest office building in Europe. The developers of the White House were inspired by the Art Nouveau style of skyscrapers in Manhattan during a visit to New York. Address: Wijnhaven 3a (Google Maps)
Van Nelle Factory
The Van Nelle Factory is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded around 1925 as a factory for coffee, tea and tobacco, this building has had a significant impact on the evolution of modern architecture in Europe.
Architect Leendert van der Vlugt designed a structure in which light, air and space are the key elements. The result is the magnificent Van Nelle Factory, located in Rotterdam’s Spaanse Polder. Address: Van Nelleweg 1 (Google Maps), www.vannellefabriekrotterdam.com
