Rotterdam is not a stereotypically quaint Dutch city. Virtually flattened in the Second World War, it is now a dynamic modern port with striking tower blocks either side of the Nieuwe Maas waterway. Much of the architecture, from the elegant Erasmus Bridge to the tilted yellow cube houses at Overblaak, is remarkable. Visitors will also discover a cluster of first-class museums around the Museumpark.
Picture: Rotterdam Port – Courtesy of Moyan Brenn via flickr
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Netherlands Architecture Institute
The Netherlands Architecture Institute (better known as the NAI), is a multi-purpose center on the edge of the Museumpark that aims to inform and inspire visitors to take an interest in their surroundings. NAI's vast archive of unusual models and drawings includes a housing complex designed in the shape of a paper clip. The institute also hosts large-scale exhibitions: The work of Philadelphia-based architect Louis Kahn is on view through January 6, 2013 and Dutchville, an engaging permanent exhibition, looks at city life in the Netherlands—a highlight is the recordings of locals debating the merits of controversial buildings. Also included in the NAI's entrance fee is admission to the nearby Sonneveld House, a prime example of Nieuwe Bouwen architecture (the Dutch version of functionalism). The 1930s villa was considered to be cutting-edge and luxurious when it was built, with state-of-the-art gadgets such as heated towel rails in the bathrooms and buttons under the dining table to summon the maid.
Picture: Netherlands Architecture Institute – Courtesy of Cak-cak via flickr
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Erasmus Bridge
The Erasmusbrug was designed by Dutch architect Ben van Berkel and was completed in 1996. In that short period of time the bridge has become a symbol of Rotterdam. It is named after the humanist Erasmus, who was born in Rotterdam in the 1460s. The 2,625-foot-long bridge links the city center to the redeveloped port area of Kop van Zuid. Nicknamed "The Swan," its 456-foot-high asymmetrical steel pylon resembles the bird's neck, while the cables flowing behind are like its feathers. For the best views of the span, cross the Nieuwe Maas on a ferry from Veerhaven to the Hotel New York (Watertaxi Rotterdam departs every 15 minutes), and walk back over the bridge to the city center. An added bonus is the panoramic view of Rotterdam's high-rise skyline.
Picture: Erasmusbrug – Courtesy of G-flow via flickr
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Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Rotterdam's preeminent art museum, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is housed in a stately, redbrick 1930s building across from the NAI. The current big draw is The Road to Van Eyck, a blockbuster exhibition (through February 10, 2013), which sheds light on the Flemish painter and his contemporaries. Other attractions include memorable Old Master paintings such as Bruegel, whose famous Tower of Babel is the museum's best-known work of art, many Impressionist works (Degas' graceful statuette of a young ballet dancer was the only sculpture the artist exhibited in his lifetime), and a strong surrealist section, which includes Dali's lobster telephone. Don't miss the applied art and design galleries, which show classics such as a Rietveld chair.
Picture: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Courtesy of Studio Hans Wilschut
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Kunsthal Rotterdam
The Kunsthal, an intriguing building bisected by a sloping walkway, is located at the southern side of the Museumpark. It hit the headlines in October 2012 when seven artworks by world-famous artists such as Gauguin and Monet were stolen from the current Avant-Gardes exhibition. Despite those loses the show is still remarkable and continues through January 20, 2013 with 150 modern works organized to highlight interesting visual bonds (a Warhol collage of Elvis is shown next to a Picasso portrait, for example). The Kunsthal shows some two dozen exhibitions a year: A major retrospective of Aristide Maillol includes 16 of his monumental female sculptures (through February 10, 2013); Museum Minutes encourages visitors to view paintings from deck chairs and treadmills to illustrate the way we superficially view art in galleries for short periods of time (through January 13, 2013).
Picture: Kunsthal Rotterdam – Courtesy of Frenchy via flickr
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Events and Festivals
Rotterdam's annual North Sea Jazz is the world's biggest indoor jazz festival, with a thousand musicians, some 150 performances, and jazz spanning all eras and genres (July 12–14, 2013). Other highlights in 2013 include the long-established International Film Festival Rotterdam (January 23–February 3), which focuses on innovative filmmaking, and Art Rotterdam (February 7–10), a contemporary art fair during which you can stay in the homes of the city's artists. The new Rotterdam Unlimited (June 11–16) merges the city's large-scale Summer Carnival with the Dunya Festival of multicultural, performing arts.
Picture: North Sea Jazz – Courtesy of North Sea Jazz
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Stroom Rotterdam
Stroom Rotterdam hotel occupies a former electricity plant in the new Lloydkwartier neighborhood (stroom is Dutch for current). The industrial-influenced design includes a giant cast iron pulley system hanging over the reception and metallic staircases leading up to its 21 guest rooms. Most of these are spilt-level, with outsize baths and two rainforest showers in the spacious bathrooms. The modish bar and restaurant has a wall of mirrors and an open-plan kitchen and attracts a lively crowd at weekends. The restaurant serves up a wide-ranging menu from fish and chips to deer with beetroot mash. In good weather, grab a table on the roof terrace, which has excellent views of the city's landmark Euromast observation tower.
Picture: Stroom Rotterdam – Courtesy of Stroom Rotterdam
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Discover the art and culture packed into Holland's four major cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague by visiting www.artsholland.com.
Striking architecture and first-class art museums make this modern port a must-see