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    Tourist Attractions in Rotterdam

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Rotterdam. Photos and a brief description.

    Rotterdam
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    About Rotterdam

    Rotterdam is often called the “center of world distribution” because of its huge port, where cargo tankers with a variety of goods from around the world are moored. The city began to perform this function already by the XVII century. Despite its rather advanced age, Rotterdam is a progressive city where unusual architectural projects are welcomed and new technologies rule the ball.

    Some tourists believe that Rotterdam is an example of the urban architecture of the future. The rest of Europe will reach this level in fifty years. Indeed, unusual cubic houses or a bizarre combination of traditional urban planning with unusual solutions in the interior of the Church of St. Lawrence can both delight and puzzle.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Rotterdam

    Rotterdam City Hall

    The building of the city municipality was built recently – at the beginning of the XX century. The structure was significantly damaged during the Second World War, but still it was not completely destroyed. A new carillon with 48 bells was installed on the town hall tower. On the facade there is a statue of the patroness of Rotterdam and statues embodying the national traits of the Dutch: perseverance, reliability, entrepreneurial spirit and caution.

    Rotterdam City Hall
    Boijmans — van Beuningen Museum

    Boijmans — van Beuningen Museum

    The largest art gallery in the country, where valuable paintings, graphic drawings, sculptures and other works of art by recognized masters are collected. The museum was established in the middle of the XIX century, the basis of the collection consisted of exhibits from the personal collection of F. Boisman. In the middle of the XX century, entrepreneur Daniel Van Beuningen also donated part of his collection to the museum.

    Maritime Museum

    The museum is considered one of the best in the world. It mainly houses exhibits related to maritime subjects: ship models, ship rigging, maps, navigation instruments and much more. The museum also has an impressive collection located in the open air. In this part of the exhibition, you can look at real ships, various mechanisms and elements of the port infrastructure.

    Maritime Museum
    St. Lawrence Church

    St. Lawrence Church

    The church belongs to the Protestant community and is the only medieval building in Rotterdam. It was built in the XV-XVI centuries. From the outside, the church looks quite traditional, but from the inside it looks more like a gallery of modern art. There is a cafe, an original installation of mirrors and a whole wall of electric lamps, which apparently symbolize candles.

    The White House in Rotterdam

    The Art Nouveau building is one of the few surviving structures after the bombing of the Second World War. The White House was built at the very end of the XIX century according to the project of V. Molenbrook. Due to the instability of swampy soils, the foundation stands on stilts. Critics of the construction site believed that such a "whopper" would not last for several years, it would not withstand its own weight. However, the White House is still in excellent condition.

    The White House in Rotterdam
    Cubic houses

    Cubic houses

    A unique innovative project by the Danish architect P. Blom, which represents an entire street of houses turned upside down and placed on one corner. Living in such structures is considered prestigious, so they are occupied by rich citizens. One of the houses is adapted as a museum, where tourists can see what is happening inside. Some residents also offer tours of their unusual apartments.

    Market "Markthal"

    Huge shopping areas and residential apartments located in the same building. The complex was built in 2014. It has become a real place of pilgrimage for gourmets. Markthal has everything to cook almost any dish from any cuisine in the world: spices, exotic fruits, rare additives, a whole supermarket of Asian products. And this is not to mention dozens of varieties of the most common tomato.

    Market
    Railway station building

    Railway station building

    The modern station building was erected in 2013 on the site of the old one, which was demolished. Natural elements were used for interior decoration, many details are made of wood. The building is covered with a glass dome, through which maximum sunlight gets inside. Thanks to this design, artificial lighting is practically not used at the station, which significantly saves money.

    Port of Rotterdam

    The largest port in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It is an industrial and cargo harbor on the North Sea. Most of its territory is occupied by docks and office buildings. The history of the port began in the Middle Ages. Since then, it has been constantly developing and expanding, now its length is about 40 km, the area is more than 10 thousand hectares, annually the port receives up to 30 thousand ships and tankers.

    Port of Rotterdam
    Erasmus Bridge

    Erasmus Bridge

    A cable-stayed structure spanning the Meuse River connects the northern and southern parts of the city. The bridge was built in 1996 by architect B. van Berkel, the opening took place in the presence of the Queen. The bridge was nicknamed "The Swan" because of the unusual curved design of the main supporting tower. The building was named after Erasmus of Rotterdam, a humanist, philosopher and writer.

    Euromachta

    The famous observation tower and one of the most popular city attractions. It was built in the second half of the XX century. The height of the structure reaches 180 meters. The observation deck offers a magnificent view of Rotterdam. Inside there are two restaurants for visitors. For fans of extreme sports, there is an opportunity to go down with the help of climbing equipment.

    Euromachta
    Delfshaven district

    Delfshaven district

    A real corner of old Rotterdam, entangled with canals and built up with charming Dutch houses. This area managed to survive during the Second World War and preserve its historical appearance. There is an old brewery, a real windmill, a lot of nice shops and cafes. In this place you can have a very pleasant time and enjoy the spirit of the past.

    Zoo "Diergaarde Blijdorp"

    One of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, which began in the middle of the XIX century with a private collection of birds. The zoo had to go through closure, relocation and bombing in 1940, as a result of which many animals died. Fortunately, the rest of the inhabitants were saved, and after a few months the zoo was restored. In 2001, an oceanarium was opened on the territory.

    Zoo
    Arboretum Trompenburg Botanical Garden

    Arboretum Trompenburg Botanical Garden

    On the territory of the city botanical garden grows an impressive variety of trees, flowers, shrubs and herbs collected from all over the planet. The collection began to be collected in the second half of the XIX century. The garden is divided into several thematic zones, a system of canals and ponds has been created on the territory. Thanks to the magnificent landscape design, the park has become a favorite place for walking citizens.

    Kinderdijk

    The famous valley of windmills, located a few kilometers from Rotterdam. The mill system was built in the XVIII century for the purpose of regulating the water level. But the problem could not be solved – the territory was constantly flooded. In 1997, Kinderdijk was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the moment, it is one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands.

    Kinderdijk