Technically, or administratively, the city belongs to the state of Bavaria but truly there is nothing about Lederhosen, Weißwurst, Bier and Biergartens. Würzburg, the wine capital of Franconia in the northwestern tip of Bavaria, will show you that there’s more to life than beer and sausage. The dialect is different, the choice of sausage is…
Never in my life did I think I would have an honour of traveling to Kosovo 🙂 Booking this trip was a bit of a bullet in my throat but it ended up being totally thrilled with the state/non-state. Depends on which side you are. Travelling from Skopje to Prishtina, our local guide welcomed us…
When you dive into the story of this city, you go medieval. Let me show you where I ended up. This city is the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It has been founded in the 8th century by Charlemagne by building the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul. The cathedral stands by the Münstersche Aa river. Upon arrival to the…
Koki the rooster, Lupo the dog, Burlón the cat and Tonto the donkey. And me. Starring in Brother Grimm’s story in Bremen. 🙂 The story tells they formed a band playing guitar, drums, trumpet and saxophone with the aim of winning a contest in the city of Bremen. Let’s start at the beginning. In medias…
My summer Scandinavian road trip finished. From the Trelleborg port, we took the ferry to Rostock. It took 6 hours to float on a Huckleberry Finn passing down the Danish islands like Bornholm. Rostock is a city in northern Germany, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It is the largest city in the…
Sweden’s second city gets much less attention than its fancier east-coast alternative (Stockholm), but for me, that’s all the more reason to visit Gothenburg. Yes Patrick, this is how you write it in English. The city was named Göteborg in the city’s charter in 1621. The name was given after the Göta älv, the nearby…
Living in Belgium, I have been saying I need to visit this city for so long. The most I got of this city for all these years was flying from the Charleroi Airport. I knew there was no beauty in this city as it was built in 16th century, as an industrial hub, exploiting people…
My little jubilee, the 50th country visited was Liechtenstein. And boy what a ceremony happened. The Principality of Liechtenstein and the Swiss Confederation were celebrating the 100 years of their common Dounae contract. We were about to cross the bridge that was built over the river Rhine, but we were stopped as the celebration was just…
Krapina is my hometown. Zagorje runs through veins. Kajkavian dialect is spoken out loud by my core. So please, allow me to show you a portion of heaven given to us people from Zagorje to enjoy, nourish, and remain proud. Krapina Krapina was first mentioned in 1193. It has always been a favorite site for…
This is a post of a lovely, walkable city that will charm all wine, gastronomy and history lovers. From Markets to Mustard! This capital of Burgundie is calling you to get all its tastes. And you will not know all of these existed! The province was home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until…
Avignon is a city on the Rhône river in the south of France. It is surrounded by walls of Avignon (French: Les Remparts d’Avignon) – a series of defensive stone walls that were originally built in the 14th century during the Avignon papacy and have been continually rebuilt and repaired throughout their subsequent history. We entered through Porte Saint-Michel. The…
This historical province of southeastern France, extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It largely corresponds with the modern administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur . The largest city of the region and its modern-day capital is Marseille. Known for its diverse landscapes, miles of…
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.
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.
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.
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 🙂
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.
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 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. 🙂
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.
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.
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. ”
2023
Not many occasions appeared to get back to this city, I have to admit. Mostly because it’s architecture does not attract me. It is quirky, contemporary and odd. The reason is because it has been completely destroyed during World war ll so upon the end of the war, it had to be re-built. The architects really got free hands here.
Some even describe the city as an ‘open-air museum of modern and contemporary design’. I would totally agree. As you walk through the city, you can really see all shapes of the design.
There is a long-standing rivalry between the Dutch capital of Amsterdam and the major port city of Rotterdam. This rivalry dates back to the 13th century when the two cities were granted city status.
Then in the 14th century, when both Amsterdam and Rotterdam earned official city status, rivalry between the Netherlands’ two largest towns has incited fun, humor and even a little venom. Some claim money is made in Rotterdam, kept in Den Haag and spent in Amsterdam. In Holland’s freewheeling capital, you might hear, “Amsterdam has it,” while residents of Europe’s largest port counter, “Rotterdam doesn’t need it.”
Bourse
In the post-war era, travelers have largely ignored Rotterdam, a city flattened by German bombs, with an industrial, working-class vibe that emanates from its port. But times are changing. In the post-World War II era, sleek high-rises rose on opposite sides of the Maas River, earning the evolving vertical city a new nickname: Manhattan on the Maas.
When Rotterdam’s canals became toxic rivers, they were covered with highways, resulting in a distinctly un-Dutch city with an infrastructure as conducive to motorized vehicles as to bikes and horse carriages.
In the post-war decades, Rotterdam literally rose from the ashes, inspired by the vision of a modern American metropolis. Angular skyscrapers replaced centuries-old Gothic structures, creating a skyline similar to those in Boston and Seattle. While Amsterdam returns you to the Netherlands’ 17th-century Golden Age, a trip to Rotterdam feels like going back to the future.
Cubic houses (not pubic, as someone mistakenly heard -.-)
Another point of competition is the aspects of churches. Rotterdam has only one medieval church left, surviving until today. Saint Lawrence Church is a Protestant church in Rotterdam. As it is protestant it is empty inside and not much of a breathtaking.
And if you’re wondering where to eat (healthy) in Rotterdam, you can check the Markethalle. It is always interesting to come here and buy some herrings. bljack
Or some cheese?
The Dutch and cheese is a love affair for the ages. Anyone who’s been to the Netherlands can tell you that Dutch fondness for dairy runs deep – especially for kaas, or cheese. You might be wondering: what’s all the fuss about? In that case, you’re clearly underestimating the deliciousness that is Dutch cheese!
Many European countries have a strong cheese culture, with recipes dating back generations and deeply steeped in local traditions and ingredients. The Netherlands is no different. Thanks to centuries of Dutch ingenuity, draining and reclaiming land from the sea, huge parts of North Holland have silty, extremely rich soil. This provides the perfect fertilizer for nutritious, moist grass that the famous Friesian cows gorge on. This perfect combination of factors is the secret behind Dutch cheese’s famous creaminess and strong flavor.
Dutch are famous for its beer too. Perhaps the thing you should not do in Rotterdam, not to piss the Roterdammers is to order a Heineken.
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
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!
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!
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?
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
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.
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a
totally different subject but it has pretty much the
same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
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!
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. 🙂
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
Glad you liked it! Love reading how you experienced my hometown 🙂
LikeLike
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
As the admin of this web page is working, no hesitation very
shortly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
LikeLike
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a
totally different subject but it has pretty much the
same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
LikeLike
I enjoy looking through a post that can make people think. Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
LikeLike