RED RIDING HOOD

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 14^th 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.”

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’ 17^th-century Golden Age, a trip to Rotterdam feels like going back to the future.

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.