“Life is a journey. Make the best of it.”
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in The Netherlands. It got it name
Rotterdam" when a dam was built in the Rotte River.
It has the estimated population of 631,155 in a city full of unique architecture.
Today, we combined both Rotterdam and Kinderdijk together.
History of Rotterdam
The modern city began as a humble fishing village in the 13th century.
It boomed into an industrial and trading power when German bombers destroyed the city center and the harbor in WW2. The Dutch rebuilt the city into an urban cosmopolitan.
Access to Rotterdam
By Air : Rotterdam The Hague Airport is a small-scale international airport serving Rotterdam & The Hague.
The third busiest airport in The Netherlands is also used extensively by aviation clubs, skydiving clubs and flight training school which are in the airport.
By Train: As fast as 40mins, you can reach Rotterdam by train from Amsterdam Centraal Station. For us, we will be coming from Schiphol Station.
 |
| I think we entered a higher class carriage by mistake. |
We went to Kinderdijk via Rotterdam in the morning ( Blog: xxxx ), and spent the noon exploring Rotterdam, so how did we spend the noon here ? Please continue to read, thanks.
Rotterdam Centraal Station
Rotterdam Centraal railway station is the main railway of the city. The current station building located at Station Square, was officially opened in March 2014. It is such a striking building that it is impossible goes without noticing as it is a unique piece of architecture in Rotterdam.
The train station is so huge, connection to metro is just after the gantry of the train. There are some shops selling "pick & go" food, florist and etc.
Tram station is just outside of the Train station.
Erasmusbrug Bridge
The 802 metre long bridge was completed in 1996. It contained 2 tram tracks, 4 traffic lanes , 2 bicycle lanes and 2 pedestrian pathways.
Jackie Chan's "Who Am I?" carried the bridge is one of the scenes. "The Red Bull Air Race" was held here in 2005 where several planes flew underneath the bridge. Many other big events were held here as well.
Here above are some more photos of the Eramusbrug bridge from google.
Rotterdam City Hall (Stadhuis)
This City Hall is one of the few old buildings left in the city before the war. Indeed, an old gem among the modern buildings, which survived WW2 on the extensive bombing on 14 May 1940.
The City Hall was built between 1914 and 1920 and is registered on the list of The Netherland's heritage board in 2000. The building is still in use today, so you are welcome to enter the public areas.
While walking towards to the next stop, we came upon a local police station in Tiffany Blue's tiles. Simple and chic look.
Nieuwe Delftse Poort
Another eye-catching structure standing out among all the buildings. There was a historic city gate standing here until it was destroyed during the WW2, this reconstructed artistic gate is built in the memory of the original one which was built in the 18th centuries.
Though it is a replica, but part of the structure contained the remainder saved from the original gate which was destroyed.
Grote Kerk ( Sint-Laurenskerk)
In English, it is called St Lawrence Church, was built between 1449 and 1525.
Rotterdam's only Medieval building that survived the heavy bombings in the WW2 on 14 May 1940 where most of the buildings in Rotterdam central were almost wiped out.
She is a war survivor that worthy for respect, only the walls and the tower remains - it was damaged , not destroyed.
It still stands tall today after restoration order ordered by Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands. Entrance fee into the church is 3 Euros and we paid for it. The interior was "wow".
The ceilings are high with elaborate wood works, with not much hanging ornaments. Most of the windows are big and cleared glass, only some were stained with artworks. There were spaces for rental which are ideal exhibition purposes.
This is the pride of the church - The Giant Organ.
It is spectacular, the largest mechanical organ is the Europe with more than 7000 pipes and 85 stops.
Lastly, there is a pedestrian's street next to the church, The Markthal mall is also nearby so do drop by if you have some time to spare. Even the famous Cube Houses are located there too, literally opposite of The Markthal mall.
Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen)
The Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) in Rotterdam are one of the city's most iconic attractions. This residential Project was designed by Dutch Piet Blom. These 100 meters square
Cube Houses been attracting attentions for more than 30 years, tilted over 45 degrees.
These residences were constructed on concrete pillars with wooden framing.
Standing at 3 levels tall, their ground floor is the entrance, the first floor has a kitchen and living room and the second floor come with a bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Some units even come with rooftop gardens.
This photo is taken right in-front of The Markthal where it shows the Pedestrian's Street and the tower of the Grote Kerk.
The Markthal ( Market Hall in English)
The Markthal is a residential and office building with a market hall at the ground level. It is officially opened by Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on 01 October 2014.
The exterior arch-like structure resembles a horseshoe, most of the building is made up of glass windows or glass facade with steel cables - It is the largest glass window cable structure in Europe.
The interior decorated with massive digital 3D artwork which shows fruits, vegetables, flowers and fishes.
Our Dinner before heading back
We been in Europe for nearly a fortnight now, he got cravings for Asian food.
Nothing to fret about as Rotterdam or even the whole Netherlands can satisfied his cravings.
Japanese Ramen at The Markthal - Sapporo Ramen Takumi
Sint Pauluskerk (St Paul's Church)
Walking back to train station, we came across this egg-shaped building which is a church.
The design of the building brought me here. This is not an everyday design of a church, and the design is very futuristic.
The original church was built in 1960 and demolished in 2007, and present building built in 2013 at the very same spot.
We have come to the end of this blog. Meanwhile here are some blogs I like to share :
Feel free, you are most welcome to browse through my other blogs to Denmark, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and cruises etc. I will be deeply appreciate if you can like my facebook page:: followblueginger
Thank you for dropping by.
Wish you good luck. 😄
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
