The weird Dutch nicknames for iconic Rotterdam architecture

The weird Dutch nicknames for iconic Rotterdam architecture

Rotterdammers love their city, in all its architectural drama. So, when things get named top-down, Rotterdammers tend to name them back: bottom-up. What do those names mean? We will tell you!
 
The city of Rotterdam is renowned for its architecture. Mainly because after the Second World War, Rotterdam decided to change its perception, its look so to say. Modernity was the direction of choice. As most buildings begin their existence on the drawing board, having people in offices think about all the necessary things, they also have the tendency to get named by those same people. A project name, often with affection, with meaning. But often, in Rotterdam, the people who must live with the architecture think differently of it and just as affectionately give them another name.
 
Oh, and to be fair: it is a Dutch thing to rename their buildings. Rotterdammers are not the only Dutch people who do it, but they do have most modern buildings and thus a much better starting point for coming up with new and inventive names.
 
Gain your insights here (in alphabetical order):
 
Het Blaakse Bos (The Blaak Forest) – Kubuswoningen (Cube houses)Het Blaakse Bos (The Blaak Forest) – Kubuswoningen (Cube houses)

Het Blaakse Bos (The Blaak Forest) – Kubuswoningen (Cube houses)

Designed by architect Piet Blom and finished in 1984, these peculiar cube houses were planned as a village in the city. The cubes are turned to stand on an edge and rest on a pole, making them look like a tree or treehouse. And, of course, several trees become a forest, hence the name “Blaak forest”. All houses stand on a space which spans the busy Blaak street so that there are no cars driving on the ground floor from which to enter the houses. This place is often used for communal and outside activities, seeing that the houses have no outside spaces themselves.
 
De Blokkendoos (Block Box) – The RotterdamDe Blokkendoos (Block Box) – The Rotterdam

De Blokkendoos (Block Box) – The Rotterdam

The “Office for Metropolitan Architecture” of Remko Koolhaas created the Rotterdam. The building was finished in 2013 and is located on the Wilheminapier. It is overlooking the Maas with a great view of Rotterdam’s inner city and skyline. Inside its 44 floors, there is space for the municipality of Rotterdam, a hotel, offices, parking spaces and many, many apartments. There is space for cafés, restaurants, fitness, and shops. It is one of the biggest buildings in the Netherlands. Its various uses are structured into “blocks” within the building.
 
The Buttplug Gnome – Santa Claus StatueThe Buttplug Gnome – Santa Claus Statue

The Buttplug Gnome – Santa Claus Statue

A large statue by artist Paul McCarthy, depicting a Santa Claus with a tree, is living on Eendrachtsplein – a square at the beginning of the inner city. The statue had been placed in several more central spots, but shopkeepers and inhabitants protested as it was implied by the artists to have a sexual connotation and meant as a commentary of consumerism in the Western world. Now, who would want that in front of their family-run business?
 
Fluitketel (Kettle) – Station BlaakFluitketel (Kettle) – Station Blaak

Fluitketel (Kettle) – Station Blaak

Station Beurs was one of the four original stations that were dotted around Rotterdam, all specified in their different directions the trains would take from them. However, the Beurs building itself and the station Beurs building were demolished in the Second World War. As the viaduct covering the river Blaak was still intact, the station was rebuilt. Because the Beurs (Stockmarket) building was relocated further towards the city centre, the station was named after the closer Blaak street (covering the former Blaak river).  In 1982, an underground metro station was added and after that, the train station moved also underground – opened in autumn 1993. Because most of the station was thus underground, an entrance building was placed on top of it, making it easier to find the metro and train. This distinct building soon got several nicknames from the people, such as “whistling kettle”, “pedal bin” and “manhole cover”.
 

Fluitketel (Kettle) – Station BlaakFluitketel (Kettle) – Station Blaak

De Gasfabriek (the Gas Factory) a.k.a. De Stofzuiger (Vacuum cleaner)  a.k.a de IJstaart (Ice cream cake) – The central library

The main library is one of the biggest ones in the Netherlands and the most visited cultural institution of Rotterdam. It has more than 400,000 books, one of the biggest record libraries in Europe and the biggest collection of Erasmus’ works. The library building itself sparks much controversy and nicknames. Built-in 1977 and designed by Rotterdam architect and professor at Delft University, Jaap Bakema. The design was said to be “open, inviting, centrally located and accessible to everyone” and therefore ticking all the boxes as to how a library should be.
 
The building is an industrial-looking cube, with what looks like a snipped-off corner. A glass “waterfall” contains the network of escalators connecting its six floors. The descending levels have an open setting. The most remarkable element – the one that invokes all the nicknames – is the air-conditioning system. Its angular tubes are on the outside of the building and are painted yellow. Some people say it reminds them of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, others accuse it of imitating said building.

De Glasbak (Het Timmerhuis)De Glasbak (Het Timmerhuis)

De Glasbak (Het Timmerhuis)

Rem Koolhaas and his architecture agency OMA are the creators of this interesting building too. The outside of the Timmerhuis is mainly a glass complex at the Meent, in the city centre. Part of it contains an old building from the fifties in which the Rotterdam Museum, a dynamic and modern city museum, is housed.
 
De Hef – Koningshavenbrug (The old train bridge)De Hef – Koningshavenbrug (The old train bridge)

De Hef – Koningshavenbrug (The old train bridge)

Permanently raised since 1993, this old train bridge is now one of the landmarks of Rotterdam. It is spanning the Koningshaven next to the Maas and used to be part of the train connection between Rotterdam and Breda. Opened in 1927 and famous for being the first of its kind in Western Europe, and one year later through the Avantgarde film “The Bridge” by Joris Ivens.
 
Hoerenloper (John) - Rijnhavenbrug– Bridge to KatendrechtHoerenloper (John) - Rijnhavenbrug– Bridge to Katendrecht

Hoerenloper (John) - Rijnhavenbrug– Bridge to Katendrecht

The bridge for pedestrians and cyclists crosses the waters of the Rijnhaven between Hotel New York on Willeminapier and Katendrecht. It was opened in 2012, has an elegant look and can be partly opened for ships. The name stems from the time when Katendrecht used to be the place the sailors left the ships and went to visit the “whores” living in the area for that purpose.
 
The Kapsalonbak – the central stationThe Kapsalonbak – the central station

The Kapsalonbak – the central station

‘Station Kapsalon', is named after the notorious Rotterdam snack with kebab, chips, and melted cheese in a tin foil box. Rotterdam used to have four train stations, depending on where you wanted to go, instead of “the central station”. In 1957, Rotterdam CS (Central Station) designed by Sybold van Ravenstyn, was opened and one after another the other stations were closed (there are still three train stations left within the city). But as it happens when cities grow and its people travel more, the first Central Station was not modern and not big enough anymore and has recently been replaced by Station Rotterdam Centraal, ceremoniously opened in spring 2014 by King Willem Alexander. The letters and clock of the old main stations are still decorating the face of this new building.
 
De Koelkast (the fridge) - Erasmus MCDe Koelkast (the fridge) - Erasmus MC

De Koelkast (the fridge) – Erasmus MC

A big, white, and rectangle building that looks like it could well emit coolness. That is why the building of Rotterdam’s biggest hospital, as a matter of fact, the biggest one in the Netherlands (after expansion in 2018), has the nickname: the fridge.
 
De Koopboog (Shopping Arch) aka De groente grot (Vegetable Cave)  - The MarkthalDe Koopboog (Shopping Arch) aka De groente grot (Vegetable Cave) - The Markthal

De Koopboog (Shopping Arch) aka De groente grot (Vegetable Cave)  - The Markthal

The Markthal is a residential and office building spanning across a central indoor market. The market stalls of the indoor market are framed by restaurants. Opened in 2014, the grey stone arc is closed off at both ends with glass windows, giving it an impressive and quite literally “see-through” effect. Its ceiling is colourfully decorated with an 11,000 m² enlarged artwork by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam called “Horn of plenty”. 
 
The hall is built exactly on the spot, where part of the old village Rotta (for more info read: A history of Rotterdam) used to be. A tenth-century farm was found seven metres under the ground. That and several other sides are exhibited in the staircase under the Markthal.
 
De Koopgoot (the shopping gutter) / Beurstraverse – Town centre shopping streetDe Koopgoot (the shopping gutter) / Beurstraverse – Town centre shopping street

De Koopgoot (the shopping gutter) / Beurstraverse – Town centre shopping street

The shopping gutter, the name even being officially adapted by their own marketing, is the shopping street of Rotterdam. Located as the heard of the city centre, home to about 40 shops, it was opened in 2000. Build to dive below sea level an under the Coolsingel, it is certainly a fascinating bit of shopping architecture.
 
De Kuip (the Tub) – The Stadium FeyenoordDe Kuip (the Tub) – The Stadium Feyenoord

De Kuip (the Tub) – The Stadium Feyenoord

The actual name, Stadium Feyenoord, derives from the Football club Feyenoord, which in turn has been named after the district Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Its nickname is due to its clean, oval look seen from above – looking like a bathtub. Opened in 1937, the stadium was built of glass, concrete and steel and two free-hanging tiers with no obstacles blocking the view. Johannes Brinkman and Leendert van der Vlugt designed the building, which later even acted as an example to many other famous stadiums.
 
Het Potlood (the Pencil) – De Blaaktoren – Building next to KubuswoningenHet Potlood (the Pencil) – De Blaaktoren – Building next to Kubuswoningen

Het Potlood (the Pencil) – De Blaaktoren – Building next to Kubuswoningen

The Blaaktower was designed by the same architect as its neighbour the Kubus houses, Piet Blom. Overlooking the city centre, the residential tower is a little more than 60 m high. It has thirteen floors that are used for living, a general service area on the ground floor and a pointy, decorative roof that has no further use, apart from evoking the nickname “the pencil”. The levels are dived into six flats by concrete walls, just like a trivial pursuit piece and its wedges. The apartment block was opened in 1984.
 
Pluk-me-kaal-straat (Puntegaalstraat, used to be the tax office)Pluk-me-kaal-straat (Puntegaalstraat, used to be the tax office)

Pluk-me-kaal-straat (Puntegaalstraat, used to be the tax office)

Puntegaalstraat 23, a very impressive building that stands out overlooking the big and small sluices, two bridges, a massive roundabout, and a bit of the Euromastpark, used to be the tax office. Today an apartment block, but the name “pluk-me-kaal” stems from these buildings use as the central tax office. Back then, the name of the street was changed by Rotterdammers to and is still known as, “rob-me-blind” street.
 
De Zwaan (The Swan), also known as The Harp – Erasmus bridgeDe Zwaan (The Swan), also known as The Harp – Erasmus bridge

De Zwaan (The Swan), also known as The Harp – Erasmus bridge

The Erasmus bridge, completed in 1996 and part of Rotterdam’s official logo, connects the north and south part of Rotterdam spans the river “Nieuwe Maas”. Designed by Ben van Berkel the bridge is 802 meters long and 139 meters high. It can partially open for very high ships and includes tram rails as well as car traffic, bike lanes and pedestrian lanes. Its most striking feature is its pale blue, but white looking colour. It has a single pylon, bent backwards, secured with 16 frontstay and two backstay cables giving it its striking, elegant look and nicknames.
 
A Brief History of Gabber in Rotterdam and the Netherlands

A Brief History of Gabber in Rotterdam and the Netherlands

Rotterdam was both the birthplace and epicentre of the music genre and youth subculture known as gabber. Check out this brief interactive documentary and learn more about how the movement got started and how it evolved.  
 
Gabber was the first truly Dutch style of electronic music. In the Netherlands in the 1990s, gabber wasn’t just a sub-genre of hardcore techno, it was one of the country’s most significant youth culture movements. Throughout the decade both the music and subculture transitioned from the fringes of society into mainstream popular culture. But by the turn of the millennium, the entire scene had collapsed. This multimedia gallery by The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision charts the rise and fall of gabber in the Netherlands, featuring archival TV and rave footage, audio recordings, images from private collections, as well as newly commissioned photos by photographer Kim Pattiruhu. The gallery has been curated by writer and music journalist Holly Dicker.
 
 

Gabber in the '90s

Gabber grew into one of the most important youth culture movements in the Netherlands. What started in 1990 as a contrary reaction to house culture, ended at the end of the decade with happy hardcore and parodies that hit the charts. The genre gained international status, including Thunderdome parties throughout Europe. The online exhibition was compiled by writer and music journalist Holly Dicker, commissioned by Sound and Vision. As a freelance journalist, she previously wrote for The Wire, The Guardian, Electronic Beats, Boiler Room and Resident Advisor.
 
Thunderdome, Australians, Parkzicht, Paul Elstak, DJ Rob, Dano, Multigroove: in the nineties, gabber was a striking and important youth culture. For Google Arts & Culture, Sound and Vision curated the online exhibition A Brief History of Gabber. The exhibition shows the rise and fall of the genre, including video recordings, media broadcasts and photos of parties, flyers and clothing. 
 
A Brief History of Gabber is part of Music, Makers & Machines. Launched on 12 March 2021, this new online exhibition from Google Arts & Culture and YouTube celebrates the history of electronic music. More than 50 organisations, record labels, festivals and industry experts from across Europe worked together to capture the crucial role electronic music plays in music culture. Another Dutch contribution to the exhibition comes from Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), which shares highlights from their cultural programme. 
  
Hilton Rotterdam is a national monument

Hilton Rotterdam is a national monument

The Hilton Rotterdam hotel on the corner of Weena and Coolsingel is a landmark building. The iconic structure, which opened its doors in 1963, became a national monument on Saturday, September 10th 2016. 

 

Hilton Rotterdam: a national monument

The building testifies to the rapid economic growth of Rotterdam in the fifties; the period during which the worst of the war damage was repaired. During that time, Rotterdam saw an end to the shortage of materials and housing as well as an improvement in its finances. Its 500 rooms equalled the number of all hotel rooms available in the city at that time.

The Hilton Rotterdam (1963) was designed by a local architect, Hugh Maaskant (1907-1977). Maaskant is also known for the Groothandelsgebouw and as one of the architects who designed the Euromast. His buildings are characterized by large scale, monumentality and sharp details, of which the Hilton is a good example.

 

Interior of Hilton Rotterdam with dalle de verre (after renovation)Interior of Hilton Rotterdam with dalle de verre (after renovation)

Interior of Hilton Rotterdam with dalle de verre (before renovation)Interior of Hilton Rotterdam with dalle de verre (before renovation)

 

The Hilton Rotterdam was one of the first international hotels in the Netherlands and was built to typical American standards. Over fifty years later, it still has the look of a luxury hotel of its time. Since it's grand opening in 1963, both the outside of the hotel and the sleeping quarters have remained virtually unchanged. Likewise, defining elements such as the atrium and the curved wall have also remained intact. The original dalle de verre walls made up of square glass slabs, built by Joop van den Broek have also stood the test of time. On both the front and back of the building, the name Hilton can still be seen in its original lettering. 

 

The Netherlands has a total of nearly 200 national monuments from the Post-War Reconstruction period (1940 to 1965). Of those monuments, 27 are in Rotterdam. 

A history of Rotterdam - from fishing village to metropolis

A history of Rotterdam - from fishing village to metropolis

To appreciate the future, one must know the past. The city of Rotterdam has a long and interesting history. This city has seen humble beginnings, devastating wars and prosperous periods of unrivalled innovation.   
 

The beginning – hunting fish and keeping the water at bay

It took a while before hunters and gatherers could settle in the area that is now Rotterdam. It was a problematic area where salt and fresh water met. The first settlement was built around 800 CE. It grew into a fishing village called “Rotta” on reclaimed wetland close to the rivers “Rotte” (which means “muddy water”) and the river “Maas”. In the 12th century, Rotta vanished from the map due to massive flooding. Shortly afterwards a sea dyke was built, protecting against the free-flowing waters of the Northern Sea. Around 1270 the people began building a dam in the Rotte, approximately where the Hoogestraat crosses the Rotte, making it safer to stay there. Hence, the name “Rotterdam”. This dam was one of many walls and dykes that were constructed in the area.
 
In 1299 Rotterdam received city rights for the first time by Jan I of Holland. After the focus switched from fishing to trade and the building of the first harbours, Rotterdam paid for and was granted city rights – again – by Count Willem IV of Holland in 1340. (Willem IV had no lawful children, his elder sister Margaretha of Bavaria, and her son Willem V were later struggling to own the title. That in turn effectively started the Hook and Cod disputes, together with the debt with the city nobility that Willem IV had left as his legacy.) Back then, Rotterdam had no more than around two thousand inhabitants. Not long afterwards, Rotterdam completed the shipping canal “Rotterdamse Schie”, which connected the city with larger towns in the north. Around 1360 a town wall was built, as well as canals, ramparts and city ports.
 

Early modern age – Nobility caught in a power struggle and the Count of Holland

Rotterdam became an essential harbour for international trade between the Netherlands, Germany and England. In the 15th century, the late gothic Laurenskerk became the new icon of the inner city, an ambitious project and the only stone building within Rotterdam’s only 1,200 houses.
 
But in the second part of the century, the development of the city stagnated when the nobility in Holland and Zeeland fought each other in the Hook (old countryside nobility) and Cods (new city nobility) disputes. The Cods supported the Count of Holland, while the Hooks rebelled against him. Willem V first held the title Count of Holland, and it later fell to Philip of Burgundy. Philip inherited the Burgundian Netherlands and acquired much of Spain by marriage. These two titles were subsequently inherited by Philips successors, the kings of Spain, and caused the Dutch nobilities coming war with Spain.
 
At the beginning of the 16th century was the population in Rotterdam starving, a result of the Jonker Frans Wars. The wars are called after the chosen leader of the Hooks Frans van Brederode, who conquered Rotterdam and tried to take many more cities. Because he failed to take them, he kept plundering the surrounding area and strengthened Rotterdam as his fort. The wars came to an end when, after having left Rotterdam, Brederode died during imprisonment of his battle wounds in 1490. Around 1500 only 4.000 people still lived in Rotterdam, but the neighbouring cities had suffered even greater loses, especially in ships. The wars significantly increased Rotterdam’s position as a crucial city of Holland, and they celebrated Jonker Frans as a hero. Rotterdam honoured him with the street name Jonker Fransstraat.
 
After 1550 the economy grew again thanks to Herring fishing and trade. The herring tubes brought employment and prosperity, but in 1563 the east of the city burned down in a great fire. In 1572 Rotterdam was stormed and plundered by the Spanish troops of Count Bossu, who was sent by the Spanish king to show the Dutch who their ruler was. It had the opposite effect. One year later Rotterdam chose the side of the opposition, Jacoba of Bavaria, heiress of Willem VI, when the city had around 10.000 inhabitants. However, it took an eighty-year war before a peace treaty was made, and Spanish and Dutch rule was separated again.
 
After the Spanish troops had left in 1573, Johan van Oldebarneveld, leading functionary and legal adviser of the principal town corporations, strengthened Rotterdam’s ramparts to protect the city against future attacks. This urban extension was also an excellent moment to construct new ports. 1575 Rotterdam expanded its harbours to the south-east and south-west in the direction of the Maas, developing the so-called city triangle. 1650 the Water City south of the Highstreet was built.
 
Map of Rotterdam from 1652 (Blaeu)Map of Rotterdam from 1652 (Blaeu)
 
The importance of Rotterdam harbour was acknowledged by becoming part of the VOC – the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) (thus the “Dutch East India Company”). Its chambers were paid for and established in Rotterdam early in the 17th century rising the start-up capital of the company. One of the smartest investments made by Rotterdam for its future. In 1602 Johan van der Veeken was the mastermind behind Rotterdam’s oversee expansion. He and Johan van Oldenbarnevelt were founding members of the VOC. By 1622 there were 20.000 people living in Rotterdam.
 
In 1698 the flourishing Rotterdam was the second important trade city of the country with more than 50.000 inhabitants. Erasmus became the Icon of an enlightened Rotterdam. The enlightened spirits meet up in societies and discussed politics; as well as economic development; and applied science. The Rotterdam watchmaker Steven Hoogendijk started the initiative of the Batavian Society for Experimental Philosophy. He built the first steam pumping station in Rotterdam in 1786 in the Blijdorp polder.
 

The 18th and 19th century – the French are gone, and the new king stays

The 18th century did not only see the rise of enlightened spirits. Political and economic tension begin again after 1750. Also, the city is very crowed – caught between in the triangle between the city walls at Coolsingel, Goudsesingel and the Nieuwe Maas – a space no bigger than 140 hectares. Only after 1825 grew Rotterdam out of this space. The 18th century is known as a period of decline, but Rotterdam still impressed its visitors. A crisis arose as the French crossed the big rivers in 1795. Shipping and trade suffered immensely during the Neapolitan wars. In 1803 inhabitants of the Rotterdam got in line just to get a cup of soup. The tide only turned after Napoleon suffered his defeat at Waterloo.
 
Beurs Rotterdam in 1790 (unknown author)Beurs Rotterdam in 1790 (unknown author)
 
In 1850, after the French had left, and the Netherlands had become a constitutional monarchy, the Kingdom was full of optimism. The sea was open, and the trade was revived. The merchants dreamed of the revival of the Golden Age. But the new area forced drastic innovations and brought new challenges.
 
Rotterdam counted 90.000 inhabitants, and the majority lived in the overcrowded, unhealthy inner city with polluted canals. Cholera outbreaks were feared. Willem Nicolaas Rose had a bold plan to cater for Rotterdam with fresh and clean Maaswater. Also, in the 19th century, the Rotterdam harbours were threatened by sand and became difficult to reach for ships: it looked as if they would get silted up. Hydraulic engineer Pieter Caland developed a rescue plan: a canal through the dunes of Hoek van Holland – de Nieuwe Waterweg (meaning “the new waterway”). After eight years of work, the canal was finished in 1872. One year after it was completed, the Holland-Amerika line established itself in Rotterdam; its headquarters moved in 1901 into the building that is now the famous Hotel New York on the Wilhelmina Kade.
 
The New Waterway was boosting the growth of Rotterdam: more new harbours were built, and the city was booming. There was work attracting people from all over and money that was partly spent by “harbour barons” on stately buildings in the inner city. Many surrounding municipalities were annexed (e.g. Delfshaven in 1886) by Rotterdam, and new neighbourhoods were built. Especially on the left bank of the Maas, many cheap houses were constructed quickly for people attracted by work. They were often inhabited by farmers leaving the countryside also due to an agricultural crisis, earning the Southside the nickname farmers-side. From 1880 to 1900 the population grew from 160.000 to 315.000 residents. The Southern railway was built and became a crucial connection and allowed for the development of Rotterdam South. The transit traffic with Germany was the motor of economic growth.
 

The 20th century – The World Wars and Rotterdam’s development into modernity

During the first world war (1914-1918) the Netherlands had opted for neutrality, which turned Rotterdam into the most important city for international espionage in Europe. The Germans spies held an office in the White House (built in 1898, the ‘White House’ was Rotterdam’s tallest office building and Europe’s first skyscraper with its 43 metres), the British spies in the Boompjes 76. The River police under François van ‘t Sant controlled the secret agents. The harbour itself came to a standstill, and the city turned into a refuge for war refugees from the surrounding countries. After socialistic revolutions in Russia and Germany, the anxious Rotterdam mayor Zimmerman wants to hand the power to the socialists, but no one follows the socialists call to action.
 
In 1920 more than 500.000 people lived in Rotterdam, the inner city was rebuilt on the former defence structures with big boulevards like the Coolsingel, a new town hall, post office and stock market building. Modern architects got involved, and in 1930 the Bijenkorf was opened ceremoniously, designed by famous architect Dudok. Nightlife and culture are at their height, Jazz was popular, and Rotterdam was a dynamic, internationally-minded city.
 
Aerial photo of Oudehaven Rotterdam in 1938Aerial photo of Oudehaven Rotterdam in 1938
 
1940 the Rotterdam Blitz attack of the German “Luftwaffe” destroyed the inner city of Rotterdam and the lives of about 900 Rotterdammers as well as making 85,000 homeless. During World War II, when Germany invaded the Netherlands, and the countries had been at war for four days, the Nazis destroyed the entire historic centre of Rotterdam in one aerial strike on 14th May 1940. And even though the Netherlands had opted for neutrality in this second World War again, they got drawn into the battle due to the Netherlands strategic location. At the same time as the German occupation began in Rotterdam, the debris from the inner city was cleared and filled into surrounding rivers, like the Blaak and the Schie. In 1942 Rotterdam opened the first car tunnel in the Netherlands: the Maas tunnel.
 
In 1943 and 1945 more bombs hit Rotterdam West and Bergpolder, respectively, “accidentally” this time as they came from the allied troops. They were meant to target shipbuilding and train rails, but killed several hundred civilians in Rotterdam, and left more than 16.000 people homeless. All aerial attacks caused firestorms racing through and destroying even more of the city than the bombs alone.
 
Between 1942 and 1943 most of the Jews in Rotterdam were deported and perished in Nazi death camps. Only 13% of the Jewish population of the post-war 10.505 Jews of Rotterdam survived the Nazi occupation. During the hunger winter (1944-1945) more people died in Rotterdam. In November 1944, the Nazis held a big Razzia, capturing around 50.000 men between 17 and 40. 10.000 of which were set to work in the east of the Netherlands, the rest was taken to German Arbeitslager.
 
Rotterdam's Laurenskerk stands alone after the Nazi bombardment in May 1940Rotterdam's Laurenskerk stands alone after the Nazi bombardment in May 1940
 
After the war, between 1945-1970, Rotterdam was being reconstructed. Many damaged buildings were not restored but sloped, and new, modern buildings took their place. In the 50ies, Rotterdam had the image of the workers’ city and became a model of modernity. For example, in 1953 Rotterdam opened Europe’s first car-free shopping street: the Lijnbaan and the hypermodern Groothandelsgebouw. 1960 the Euromast was build and became a symbol of post-war Rotterdam, just as Ossip Zadkine’s statute “de verwoeste stadt” (the destroyed city). Through its constant grow Rotterdam received the title of the biggest harbour in the world in 1962. After eight years the first metro of the Netherlands was opened in Rotterdam in 1968, connecting the neighbourhoods “on South” to the centrum.
 
Anarchic movements did not appear in Rotterdam, but in June 1970 the “European answer to Woodstock” still took place here: the Hollandse Pop Festival in the Kralingse Bos. Famous bands like Jefferson Airplane, Santana and Pink Floyd were playing. Feyenoord was winning the European Cup as the first Dutch football club. People, who could afford to, left their cheap flats and bought more modern houses in the new suburbs and outer municipalities. “Guest workers” came in their place; first from Spain and Italy, later from Turkey and Morocco. Tensions arose between old and new inhabitants that sometimes led to riots. The community was shocked, but after a few years’ things calmed down again. Rotterdam became a multinational community with many residents originating in the Netherlands, Turkey, Morocco, Suriname and the Dutch Antilles as well as Cape Verde.
 
Holland Popfestival 1970 took place in Kralingse Bos RotterdamHolland Popfestival 1970 took place in Kralingse Bos Rotterdam
 
Like many other European cities, during the eighties Rotterdam had a rising drug problem. It began with some soft drugs users but quickly turned into a crowd of hard drug users such as heroin. And even the architecture of those days was bare and sombre, like the Maritime Museum and the Cube houses. The spark of modernity had gone from Rotterdam; former modern places were outdated. Bald, empty spots stood in the city. Nightlife still existed, but only for insiders. The streets remained empty at night.
 
The nineties were altering Rotterdam’s face yet again; after long political struggles, skyscrapers were now allowed in the city. They changed the skyline of Rotterdam and brought some of its attitude back. Kop van Zuid was changed and modernised completely. Contemporary buildings, a theatre, and the court were built here as well as the Erasmusbrug, which connects north and south of Rotterdam beginning in 1996. In 1995 there was serious talk about dissolving the city and its port into smaller administrative parts with various governments. They were to form the city province of Rijnmond and turn the city into more manageable bits and pieces. Experts agreed for it to be a good idea, but Rotterdam’s inhabitants are having none of it. They fight for a referendum. The outcome is clear: more than 90% of the people want to keep the city of Rotterdam. The politicians dismissed the idea.
 
Rotterdam's skyline with its skyscrapersRotterdam's skyline with its skyscrapers
 

The 21st century - Now

In March 2002 during the probably most tumultuous municipal elections ever in Rotterdam, Pim Fortuyn from Rotterdam was chosen with his freshly erected party Leefbaar Rotterdam. Fortuyn won a big majority over the social democrats who had been ruling the city for the last 55 years. But one week before the national elections were held Pim Fortuyn was shot dead. Rotterdam was left in mourning. After a while, the pieces were picked up again, and a coalition was formed. Ivo Opstelten became the new mayor who followed a program of security and order, which made him a popular mayor. In 2009 his footsteps were followed by another popular mayor: Ahmed Aboutaleb. Rotterdam’s first major of Moroccan descent, Aboutaleb is also connecting Rotterdam internationally and is not afraid of strong statements.
 
In 2020, Rotterdam has a population of ca. 651,500 and is home to over 180 nationalities.
 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotterdam
https://geschiedenisvanzuidholland.nl/locatie/geschiedenis-van-rotterdam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nihf-jyb1d0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTLl63W-R0w
https://indebuurt.nl/rotterdam/genieten-van/toen-in/31-maart-1943-het-vergeten-bombardement-van-rotterdam~85143/
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschiedenis_van_Rotterdam
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoekse_en_Kabeljauwse_twisten
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacoba_van_Beieren
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/rijksstudio/timeline-dutch-history
https://en.rotterdam.info/locations/het-witte-huis-1/
jck.nl

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