Cover: Markthal, Iris van den Broek van Markthal, Iris Cover: Must-sees and icons of the city 2018 Claire Droppert 1 Rotterdam Centraal Rotterdam Central Station (Team CS, 2014) is one of the most iconic architectural sites MUST DO! in Rotterdam. The roof over the tracks is Need time to take covered in solar panels and the striking hall in this architectural roof points towards the city centre. A number masterpiece? Relax of historic elements from the former station with a cup of coffee building (1957) by Sybold van Ravesteyn next door at Engels have been re-used, like the original clock restaurant, or take in the front façade and the letters spelling the lift in the Groot out ‘Centraal Station’. In the main hall you Handelsgebouw to the 7th floor for a can find several shops, information about beautiful view of public transport and the Rotterdam Tourist Rotterdam Central Information. If you’re looking for original Station. souvenirs, don’t miss shopping at ‘Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More.’ 2 Markthal You’ll find an indoor market hall in various world-class cities, but the combination with luxury housing makes Rotterdam’s Market Hall (MVRDV & INBO, 2014) the first of its kind. The apartments are arched over the DID YOU KNOW? food market in a horseshoe configuration. One of the country’s The main hall houses the market itself, as biggest outdoor well as shops, various restaurants and a four- markets is held on storey car park situated below. Look up to the large square enjoy the massive artwork sprawled across (Binnenrotte) in front of the Markthal the ceiling: the ‘Horn of Plenty’. (Tuesday and Saturday). Ossip van Duivenbode 3 Kubuswoningen The Cube Houses (Piet Blom, 1984) are part of the Blaakse Bos (Blaakse Wood) development which borders on the Laurenskwartier district and the Waterfront area. The architect wanted to design a kind Iris van den Broek of village within the city and saw the houses as trees and the whole area as a wood. The Cube Houses are tipped to one side as it were, making three sides face the ground and three face the sky. Don’t forget to visit MUST DO! Climb the tower the Kijk-Kubus (Show-Cube) to experience on a guided tour what life is like in a Cube House. (Wednesdays and Saturdays from April through October) for 4 Laurenskerk a spectacular view. The Late Gothic church (1449-1525) is the only building still remaining from the medieval city centre. The church received its Iris van den Broek current shape around 1525, but took heavy damage during the bombardment in May 1940. It now stands in striking contrast to the new architecture that surrounds it. Besides its regular church services, the buil- ding now also houses a permanent exhibition entitled ‘A monument full of stories’. 5 ss Rotterdam The ss Rotterdam (1959) is the former flagship of the Holland-America Line. The steamship was built in Rotterdam, returning to its home port in 2008 after many voyages Gaby Jongenelen and nautical miles. Since then, it has been moored at the tip of the Katendrecht peninsula. It’s used as a hotel, restaurant MUST DO! and events venue. The terrace on deck offers An audio tour guides a unique view of the city. visitors through the authentic details of the restored 6 Erasmusbrug lounges and decks The 800-metre long Erasmus Bridge (Ben van and offers a peek at Berkel, 1996) spans the Nieuwe Maas River the engine rooms. and links the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam. The suspension bridge has a 139-metre high steel pylon which is secured with 40 cables. The shape of the pylon gave the bridge its nickname: The Swan. DID YOU KNOW? The nhow Rotterdam Bar and restaurant Guido Pijper has a terrace that literally places you in the heart of the 7 De Rotterdam skyline. Take the lift Architecture aficionados will be astounded to the 7th floor and by the Wilhelminapier. The world’s most look out across the city as you enjoy famous ‘starchitects’ have erected buildings your lunch, cocktails here. Álvaro Siza, Renzo Piano, Francine or dinner. Houben, Norman Foster – and Rotterdam’s own Rem Koolhaas. His De Rotterdam (2013) is an iconic example of urban architecture. The three linked towers are nearly 150 metres high, forming a ‘vertical city’ of high-class buildings, a 4-star hotel, offices, restaurants and parking facilities. 8 Fenix Food Factory One of the old quayside warehouses now accommodates an indoor market for fresh foods where you can shop for authentic and traditional products: from bread straight out of the oven to homemade sausage and Iris van den Broek homebrewed cider. The sidewalk café on the waterfront offers an enchanting view of the sunset over the Nieuwe Maas River. MUST DO! Travel quickly from Iris van den Broek Hotel New York to the Veerhaven with 9 Hotel New York the Watertaxi (Hotel New York One of the most beautiful historic buildings Ferry Service) and in the city, Hotel New York is a Jugendstil enjoy the view of the structure. The former headquarters of the River Maas. Holland-America Line looks out towards the sea and is now a hotel and restaurant. 500Watt 10 Euromast The Euromast observation tower was constructed to mark the Floriade gardening extravaganza in 1960. The Euromast lift takes just 30 seconds to whisk visitors to a height of 100 metres where there is an observation deck and brasserie restaurant. The Euroscope revolving lift takes people up to 185 metres. HARBOUR & BEACH 11 Spido Go on a tour with Spido, one of Rotterdam’s biggest attractions. The Port of Rotterdam tour (75 minutes) sails year-round and gives you a short but powerful impression of Rotterdam’s container ports. Maeslantkering The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier is the largest movable flood barrier in the world and protects the area against flooding. Visit the Keringhuis information centre for an impression of the barrier. Shelley Trustfull Maeslantkeringweg 139, Hoek van Holland Futureland A visit to the free FutureLand Information Centre will not only tell you everything you need to know about the developing port, at Maasvlakte 2 you will see the biggest container ships and the most modern Freek van Arkel container terminals with your own eyes. Europaweg 902, Maasvlakte Rotterdam Rotterdam Beach Sea, beach, dunes, promenade, harbour, Rob van der Teen polders and attractions: Hoek van Holland is very versatile. In the summer it’s a pleasant, bustling seaside resort but Hoek van Holland is also attractive to visit in the other seasons with a great cultural offering, a diverse hinterland, and giant ships from the international Port of Rotterdam passing by. Zeekant, Hoek van Holland WITTE DE WITHKWARTIER Iris van den Broek Street art: OX-Alien en Mark Goss 12 Witte de Withstraat The ultimate arts and culture street in Rotterdam is known for its artistic, multicultural and lively character. Referred to as the city’s ‘Axis of Art’, it runs from the Maritime Museum to the Museumpark and is lined with galleries, avantgarde fashion boutiques, restaurants and (art) cafés. 13 Bazar The bright and colourful tables, the eye-catching lights and the cheerful music at Bazar will remind you of a busy market from a far-away place. Most dishes on the menu find their origin in North Africa and the Middle East. Marc Heeman MUST DO! Fan of street art? Discover impressive wall paintings from Claire Droppert local artists with the Rotterdam Street Art Route app. 14 De Witte Aap rewriters010.nl The most famous pub in the street is De Witte Aap, an institution in the city’s nightlife for ages. The Lonely Planet even nominated it as the best bar in the world! Thanks to the heated terrace you can sit outside all year round, on Saturdays there are DJs. 15 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen One of the Netherlands’ oldest museums hosts a rich spectrum of temporary exhibits on a variety of subjects. Its permanent DID YOU KNOW? collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, In the Museumpark, etchings and objects features many major Museum Boijmans Dutch and European works spanning the Van Beuningen early middle ages to the 21st century, from is building an art Jeroen Bosch to Rembrandt, from Van Gogh depot: Depot to Salvador Dalí and Dutch Design. Boijmans Van Beuningen. It provides an enormous amount of storage space for art, accessible to the public. Ossip van Duivenbode 16 Kunsthal Rotterdam The Kunsthal is housed in a building designed by OMA. The way that it joins the Westzeedijk, it resembles a modern version of a traditional Dutch dyke house. The Kunsthal presents several exhibitions Ossip van Duivenbode simultaneously, taking visitors on an exciting journey through various cultures and art movements. From modern masters and contemporary art to forgotten cultures, photography, fashion and innovative design. 17 Diergaarde Blijdorp Rotterdam Zoo is situated in the district of Blijdorp, in Rotterdam Noord. Stroll across the African Savannah and stand face-to-face with the giraffes. Visit Bokito the gorilla and Daarzijn his family. Walk on the seabed in the indoor Oceanium and meet stingrays and sharks. Discover the Amazon in the largest butterfly paradise of Europe: Amazonica. Experience tropical temperatures, fragant flowers, hundreds of colourful South American butterflies and greedy piranhas. 18 Van Nelle Fabriek The Van Nelle Factory (1925 - 1931) is a classic example of the Nieuwe Bouwen school of Dutch modernist architecture. The ingenious building was designed to Daarzijn provide all the facilities for the employees close at hand, keeping the building fully above-ground to create air, light and space. The complex was renovated and redesigned in 2000.