History

Recent History

Built in 1996, the Erasmus Bridge is 2600ft of cable linking the north to the south of Rotterdam.

Although Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, Shanghai pipped it from its position as world leader in 2004. It was demoted to seventh-largest port in the world where containers are handled.

Political approval was given to the construction of a second Maasvlakte, an area containing refineries and storage tanks, in 2004. Opposition from the Raad van State, the Dutch Council of State, meant the plans were postponed - it was alleged they had not adequately considered environmental issues. However, approval was again granted in October 2006 and construction will begin in 2008. The aim of the project is to have the first ship anchored by 2013.

Modern Day History

In 1962, Rotterdam officially became the world's busiest port.

The municipal population reached its peak in 1965 at 731,000. However, suburbanisation meant that people moved out of the city and by 1984 the population stood at 555,000.

May 14, 1940, was a fateful day in Rotterdam's history. The Luftwaffe bombed the city and practically destroyed the centre. A statue by Ossip Zadkine, dedicated to the loss, stands in the north of the city. It's title, Stad zonder hart, translates as 'City without a heart'. Fortunately, the City Hall survived.

Two decades of rebuilding ensued, but it wasn't until the 1980s that city councils developed active architectural policy. Buildings and apartments were designed with flair and style as Rotterdam expressed its desire to reclaim a lost identity. An example is its Kubuswoningen, or cube houses, designed by Piet Blom. Post-modern and daring, the city was given a new look which resulted in a more lively city centre.

A thriving new business centre, the Kop van Zuid, was completed during the 1990s on the south bank of the river.

Pre 20th Century History

Rotterdam was originally settled by a dam in a tributary river called the Rotte and can be dated from AD 900. The settlement developed over the next 200 years until floods ravaged the region in the twelfth century and ended the progress. This resulted in dams and dykes being built, such as the Schielands Hoge Zeedijk, to stop high waters flooding the area around the Rotte.

Count Willem IV of Holland granted Rotterdam its city rights in 1340. A short time later, the Rotterdamse Schie, a major shipping canal, was completed. This was to be the beginning of Rotterdam's identity as port town, giving it access to northern towns. It also became a local centre for ships to dock between neighbouring countries. Consequently, urbanisation took hold of Rotterdam.

In 1572, Spaniards being pursued by the rebel Sea Beggars were given shelter in the harbour. Rotterdam became a major port during the conflict, and it remained on the shipping map to this day.

As the Meuse-Rhine branches of the river silted up, another shipping canal, the Nieuwe Waterweg, opened. This canal, which is approximately 6.5km in length, was constructed to keep Rotterdam accessible to vessels.

Rotterdam's penchant for architecture is long-standing. In 1898, the tallest office building in Europe was built. Named the White House, it stood at 45m.