An Ionian seaside town, Avola is a mix of old and new. The town focuses heavily on the sea, with its history as a tuna fishing port. Today, the remains of the Vecchia Tonnara at the wharf are a stone backdrop to the sandy beaches. Avola dates back to a pre-Greek people called the Sicani.…
Located about 11 kilometres north of Catania, it is the perfect little commune to visit during the ottobrata – the local festivity that occurs every October here in Sicily, celebrating the fruits of the land: frutti di terra. The first encounter went wrong already 🙂 Approaching the booth with fruit, I have noticed quince – one…
If something is worth visiting in life, it is the Aeolian islands. Becasue it makes you think about winter in the south. It makes you think about simplicity of life. And it makes you realise how not to treat the tourists: just some bags of potatoes that need to be shipped from one island to…
I haven’t had a chance to spent a bit more time discovering this city. But just a glimpse and it made me think to re-visit and make it’s due. When the time will come, I promise to update with more photos. But for now, enjoy the story 🙂 Several civilizations settled in Milazzo and left…
I didn’t expect much from this harbour city, to be honest. I knew they have a great beer – Messina cristali di sale: a great Sicilian beer brewed since 1923 and one of the most loved Italian beers. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy.…
Senlis is a city in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France. Cute, medieval and charming. It offered us great peek into history: The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. Senlis is situated on the river Nonette. Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus. During the 3rd century, a seven-meter…
The Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage. It is the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. This historic French château located in the town of Chantilly, Oise, about 50 kilometres north of Paris. The site…
The Scala dei Turchi is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle. It has become a tourist attraction, partly due to its mention series of detective stories about Commissario Montalbano. The cliffs lie between two sandy beaches and are a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name. The latter part…
Picture this episode: we parked on a roundabout. Some local approached us (my brother and me) – we thought because we should have not park in a roundabout, but then again they all did, so… in fact the guy just wanted to ask if we have cigarettes. Ok Sicily, episode n. At the roundabout is…
Enna or as the Sicilians would say Castrugiuvanni; is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned the nicknames belvedere (panoramic viewpoint) and ombelico (“navel”) of Sicily. At 931m above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. To arrive there is not a piece of cake. Passing the two viaducts Morello and…
From its dramatic natural surroundings to its historic churches, Sicily has something to offer every traveler. The island of Sicily is a unique part of Italy. Its craggy mountains, wild vegetation, and omnipresent sea have fired the imagination of poets, wayfarers, and visitors alike. Though it is one of 20 Italian regions, its history under…
Aci Castello and the other Acis around are destinations not to be missed in Sicily, especially for lovers of Greek myths and literature. It is here that the poets Virgil and Ovid gave birth to the myth of Galatea and Aci and their love story. In the second half of 1100 the town was destroyed…
A very good friend of mine for some time was living in a small city close to Rotterdam. One Saturday morning I hoped on the train and 2 hours later […]
A very good friend of mine for some time was living in a small city close to Rotterdam. One Saturday morning I hoped on the train and 2 hours later ended up in this great completely modern architecture city.
It is the second largest city in the Netherlands, and lies on both banks of the Nieuwe Maas, the tidal southern arm of the Rhine. As a big logistic and economic centre it is home to Europe’s largest port, as known as Europort. Thereby, the city is called Gateway of Europe and, conversely Gateway to the World.
New port, the biggest in Europe and six biggest in the world
The city of Rotterdam is known for the Erasmus University, named by Erasmus of Rotterdam – Dutch/Netherlandish Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian that who lived in 15 century. A classical scholar that wrote in a pure Latin style editions of the New Testament, which raised questions that would be influential in the Protestant Reformation of 16 century.
The statue of Erasmus of Rotterdam
Hence, the Erasmus bridge or Erasmusbrug, a combined cable-stayed bridge that has women legs standing upon the air as bridge props. Indeed, a truly weird architecture style – but this is Rotterdam.
Erasmus bridge with women legs upon as the air as bridge props.
But, to start from the beginning, the city heritates from 9 century when the first settlers stard to build the dam because of the floods and high water. The city got name moody waters.
During World War I the city was the world’s largest sp y centre because of Dutch neutrality and its strategic location in between Great-Britain, Germany and German-occupied Belgium. Many spies who were arrested and executed in Britain were led by German secret agents operating from Rotterdam.
During World War II (known as the Rotterdam Blitz) the near-complete destruction of Rotterdam’s city centrehas resulted in a varied architectural landscape including sky-scrapers, which are an uncommon sight in other Dutch cities. Rotterdam is home to some world-famous architecture from renowned architects like Cube Houses – the fine examples of modern architecture block of houses with their unique cube-shaped upper stories 🙂 whatever weirdy Rotterdam 🙂
Cubic houses
However, some sites were not completey demolished and renowned after the WWII finished. One of the sites is the St Lawrence church dating from 15 century.
St Lawrence church
Or simply another example of art nouveau style: Witte Huis or the White Haus – a building and National Heritage Site in Rotterdam, built in 19 century. It is famous as the oldest skyscraper in the world. This 10-storey building is mostly shop center today.
The oldest skyscrapper of Europe (1897)
The skyscraper has actually great location by the Oude Haven (Old Harbour) too, built in the 14th century already. Within this ancient harbour, many historic ships are moored. The view of this historic fleet gives the Old Harbour in Rotterdam a unique atmosphere. The Old Harbour also offers a small shipyard, where historic ships are renovated in its old splendour. But what makes the Old Harbour really special is the mix of historic homes and modern design, which is characteristic for Rotterdam and it is a great place to stop and take a moment, enjoying the coffee moment – what my Friend and I did. 🙂
Old ships moored at the Old port of Rotterdam
But my defo best place in Rotterdam is the old district of Delfshaven, which unlike much of Rotterdam survived WWII largely unscathed, is consequently one of the most popular spots in this big bustling city. Famous as the birthplace of Admiral Piet Hein, a 16th-century hero of the country’s long war against Spain.
Windmill in the Old town of RotterdamHistoric Delfshaven
It’s also where, in the Old Church (Oude Kerk), the last service was held in 1620 by the Pilgrim Fathers before sailing for the New World (the event is commemorated with a memorial and bronze tablet).
For all the foodie lovers, temples of gastronomy are not something you necessarily expect in Holland. Yeah there are good cheeses, and that’s it. But the quirky idea of building a food market shaped like an inverted letter U that incorporates apartments in its arch – only Rotterdam – because why the hell not.
Market hallEnter a caption
For the end of this post, I will quote one of the most famous architects of Rotterdam, Jan Knikker: “Because this is a working-class city, the architecture had to be not too serious. ”
I’ve been to most European cities but I haven’t been to The Netherlands yet. I hope to one day. So interesting to learn Rotterdam was the spy center during the world war. Oh and I’m digging the psychedelic ceiling of the market hall. Nice. 🙂
I love the quote at the end of this post! My cousin is currently living in the Netherlands, and every time I talk to him it really makes me want to visit. It looks like such an amazing and beautiful place! Thanks for sharing!
I really really want to visit Rotterdam so badly! I just looked at flights and hostels last week! Really enjoyed reading your article, bookmarked it for further use
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I’ve been to most European cities but I haven’t been to The Netherlands yet. I hope to one day. So interesting to learn Rotterdam was the spy center during the world war. Oh and I’m digging the psychedelic ceiling of the market hall. Nice. 🙂
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I love the quote at the end of this post! My cousin is currently living in the Netherlands, and every time I talk to him it really makes me want to visit. It looks like such an amazing and beautiful place! Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you liked it! Love reading how you experienced my hometown 🙂
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I really really want to visit Rotterdam so badly! I just looked at flights and hostels last week! Really enjoyed reading your article, bookmarked it for further use
LikeLike
Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
LikeLike
That is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
LikeLike
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to
make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could
be giving us something enlightening to read?
LikeLike
Intriguing post. I’ve been pondering about this issue, so a debt of gratitude is in order for posting.
Cool post. Thanks!
King regards,
Boswell Dencker
LikeLike
Good blog post. What I would like to make contributions about is that computer system memory must be purchased if the computer can’t cope with whatever you do with it. One can set up two good old ram boards having 1GB each, as an example, but not one of 1GB and one having 2GB. One should always check the manufacturer’s documentation for own PC to make certain what type of memory it can take.
LikeLike
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Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a
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same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
LikeLike
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You are so interesting! I don’t believe I have read through something like that before. So good to discover someone with some unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
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