Rotterdam Facts

Introduction

58km (36 miles) SW of Amsterdam; 23km (16 miles) SE of the Hague

Although just an hour from Amsterdam by train, Rotterdam is Holland's most futuristic city, centuries away from the capital in both appearance and personality. Here, instead of the usual Dutch web of little streets, alleyways, and winding canals, there are spacious and elegant malls and one of the world's busiest ocean harbors. This bustling metropolis (pop. 590,000) is fascinating to see, particularly when you consider the city was a living monument to Holland's Golden Age until it was bombed to rubble during World War II. Traces of Old Rotterdam survive most vividly in only two areas -- Delfshaven (Delft Harbor) and Oude Haven (Old Harbor).

Rotterdam has an abundance of modern architecture, some of it fascinating. At the war's end, rather than try to recreate the old, Rotterdammers looked on their misfortune as an opportunity and approached their city as a clean slate. They relished the chance to create an efficient, workable modern city. The results, though they're not always elegant, are a testimony to their ability to find impressive solutions to their problems.

1. Historical fact : The name Rotterdam is derived from a dam built on the river Rotte. The city was originally a small fishing harbor, situated in a bend in the river Rotte.

2. Useful fact : The Port of Rotterdam is the second largest in the world with respect to size and tonnage. It is also one of the busiest ports in the world.

3. Sad Fact : Rotterdam's city center (the heart of the city) was completely destroyed during the World War II bombing. This led Zadkine to build the Destroyed City statue symbolizing the city "without a heart".

4.  Exciting Fact : The city was rebuilt after the bombing giving it a modern, young and a trendy look. Rotterdam therefore does not look like a typical Dutch town, and the city houses a number of skyscrapers.

5. Architectural Fact: Rotterdam is also known as the "City of Architecture". It has the highest number of architectural firms in the Netherlands.

6. Green fact: With a large number of public parks and gardens, Rotterdam is the greenest city in the Netherlands.

7. Interesting Fact: The city hosts the largest open-air market in the Netherlands in Binnenrotte, every Tuesdays and Saturdays.

8. Random fact: The city has the highest number of professional football clubs in the Netherlands.

9. Shopping Fact: Lijnbaan that houses the koopgoot (literally the shopping gutter, because it is situated below the street level) is the oldest pedestrian shopping area in the Netherlands.

10. Weird Fact: When the 'M' built on the top of the building is included in its height, Montevideo becomes the tallest building in Rotterdam. Several of the city's other skyscrapers are included amongst the tallest buildings in Europe.

11. Cultural Fact : Named as the European Capital of Culture in 2001, Rotterdam is home to a number of international and national events, festivals, concerts and theaters such as the Summer Carnival, International Film Festival and World Port days. The city is therefore sometimes called the cultural capital of the Netherlands.

12. Quick fact : Rotterdam Metro was the first metro system to open in the Netherlands.