Rotterdam

The city of Rotterdam has been around since roughly 1270 after the building of a damn on the river Rotte. Home to the largest port in Europe this city quickly out grew it’s neighboring cities and became a dominant city in the Netherlands, second only to Amsterdam. Rotterdam was almost like the rebellious little brother to the more grown Amsterdam. The night life here flourished in the early 19th century with Rotterdam being a central city for jazz music and dance. Even during German occupation Jazz clubs thrived in secret clubs, avoiding the ban on night life. The Rotterdam I visited however, had no physical remnants of that 1270 city nor the early 19th century city left. On May 14, 1940 Nazi forces bombed Rotterdam to oblivion. A massive fire consumed what had not already been destroyed in the explosions and while the bombing raid only lasted ten minutes the effects were ever lasting. Historic landmarks, thousands of homes, and countless businesses were burned to the ground leaving this once thriving city a waste land.

The spirit of Rotterdam persevered however. After the war reconstruction began and the city designers had a unique vision for the new city. Modern architects were hired and in turn unconventional buildings were built. Walking through the streets of Rotterdam is almost like walking through an art gallery. Buildings and bridges of all shapes and sizes are erected throughout the city, displaying Rotterdam’s resilience. The jazz that once swept through the city has been replaced by Rotterdam’s deep connection with hip-hop music, dance, and style. I wandered into an art museum expecting to find large sculptures and intricate paintings, but no. The first exhibit was on the history of hip hop and an exhibit on the style. Even when I visited the Rotterdam museum one of there largest exhibits was based around hip hop and how influential it became in the city. Today Rotterdam bears the markings of a city on the rise. A city risen from the literally risen from the ashes is set to become an influential powerhouse in Europe.

Museums/landmarks:

Rotterdam Museum:

This small museum vividly outlines this beautiful city’s 749 year history. It includes interactive exhibits, like the hip-hop one which includes headphones playing Dutch hip-hop, and lots of little fun tid-bits about the towns history.

Kunsthal Rotterdam:

To be frank this museum seems like three museums in one. The first museum is a hip-hop museum. It outlines both the entire history of hip-hop: where it originated, the main influencers, fashion, etc. and the history of hip-hop in Rotterdam: how it came to the Netherlands, how it influenced the public, etc. The second museum consisted of large modern art instillation that focused on general social and political issues. The third museum held architectural designs for prisons as well as drawings of cities designed by someone who never brought these imaginations into realty. The fourth, is a myriad of photographs of white South Africans simply living. Each section of this museum has something new and unique to offer and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It all seemed very disconnected though.

Euromast tower:

If you are ever in Rotterdam visiting the Euromast tower is a must. Not only do you get to enjoy a 360 degree view of the city from the cities highest point you also are informed about the history of the city. The views are incredible and the history is fascinating.

Cube houses:

The Cube houses are probably the oddest set of buildings I have ever seen or stayed in. Constructed after the Second World War, these buildings not only are home to apartments, hostels (I stayed here :)), and local businesses they also act as a bridge, covering a major roadway. The unique quality of this building makes it a wonderful place to visit during your stay in Rotterdam.

Marthal eats:

Yet another unique structure in Rotterdam! This tunnel esc building houses a market with restaurants of all kinds and the panels you see in the photo below are the windows of the apartments that are on the outside of the building. SO COOL!

Restaurants:

Arzu:

I mean c’mon…