With almost 620.000 residents, Rotterdam is the second largest city of The Netherlands. The port of Rotterdam has been the busiest port of the world since 1962, until it this “first place” was overtaken by Singapore in 2002, and later Shanghai. Unfortunately there aren’t many old buildings left in Rotterdam, due to the heavy bombing on May 14, 1940 during the Rotterdam Blitz by the Luftwaffe (German Air force). Being rebuilt, Rotterdam now is known for it’s modern architecture.

In the next weeks, my posts will be about Rotterdam, an ode to the new world.

You can still find signs of the old harbor of Rotterdam.

As one of my clients is located in Rotterdam, I am a regular visitor of this city. And since this city is great for photography, it is custom for me to bring my camera on business trips.

Starting with this post, I’ll show you the architecture of the city center in a series of blogs for the next few weeks. All of the photos this week, are taken on and around the Erasmus Bridge.

A building of a Dutch telecom, near the Erasmus Bridge.

The Erasmusbrug (“brug” is Dutch for bridge) is about 800 meters long, and 139 meters high. An impressive bridge, and probably the most photographed one in The Netherlands.

Rotterdam is split by the river Maas, or in French Meuse. The Erasmus bridge connects both parts of Rotterdam.

In the middle of the river Maas, there is a small island, called Noordereiland (Northern Island), dug in 1872. It can be wonderfully seen from the Erasmusbrug.

The “North Island” in Rotterdam, photographed while standing on the Erasmusbrug. A little island in the middle of the Rotterdam.

And, what do you think? Did Rotterdam recover from the heavy bombing by the Germans?

Kind regards,

Tieme