Rotterdam Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / November 17, 2024
Rotterdam Then
Rotterdam is a major port city and the second largest city in the Netherlands, with a rich history rooted in its strategic location along the Rotte River and the Meuse River.
The city’s name first appeared in 1283, when a tract of land was created by draining the mouth of the Rotte River, marking the beginning of its development.
Initially a small fishing village, Rotterdam was granted city rights in 1328, which allowed it to expand its influence.
In 1340, the city secured permission to dig a canal connecting to the Schie River, further enhancing its access to trade routes.
By the 17th century, the rise of Dutch maritime commerce, especially with the discovery of the sea route to the Indies, propelled Rotterdam into a bustling port city.
Its harbors expanded significantly along the Meuse River, and by the end of the 1600s, Rotterdam had grown to become the second-largest merchant city in the Netherlands, only after Amsterdam.
This history of strategic expansion and maritime trade laid the foundation for Rotterdam’s continued growth as one of Europe’s busiest and most important ports.
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Rotterdam History
Rotterdam’s history dates back at least to the year 950 when the settlement at the lower end of the Rotte River began to develop.
The name “Rotterdam” comes from the term “Rotta,” meaning “muddy water” in reference to the river.
By 1150, floods in the area had slowed development, but the construction of protective dikes, including the Schielands Hoge Zeedijk along the northern banks of the Nieuwe Maas River, helped safeguard the settlement.
In the 1260s, a dam was built on the Rotte, marking the beginning of urban development in the area.
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Rotterdam’s formal city rights were granted in 1340, and by 1350, the completion of the Rotterdamse Schie canal allowed the city to become a crucial trading hub, linking Rotterdam with major northern towns and facilitating trade between the Netherlands, England, and Germany.
In the 1600s, Rotterdam’s involvement in the Atlantic slave trade became a dark chapter in its history.
Rotterdam merchants played a significant role in the Dutch slave trade, with ships sailing to Africa and the Americas as part of the triangular trade.
This period of colonial activity contributed to the city’s growing wealth and importance.
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Rotterdam’s port continued to expand, and by the 17th century, it was the headquarters for key Dutch trading companies, including the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) and the West-Indische Compagnie (WIC).
The most significant growth came after the completion of the Nieuwe Waterweg canal in 1872, which allowed ships to reach Rotterdam’s port more easily.
This development led to a boom in both the city’s population and its maritime activity.
The Witte Huis, completed in 1898, symbolized this growth, becoming the tallest office building in Europe at the time.
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During World War I, Rotterdam’s neutral position made it a major center for espionage, housing both British and German secret agents.
The city also provided refuge for thousands of Belgian civilians during the war.
In World War II, Rotterdam suffered catastrophic damage during the German bombing raids of May 14, 1940.
The bombing destroyed much of the city’s center, leaving around 80,000 people homeless and killing about 900.
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However, the City Hall survived, and the memory of this destruction was immortalized in the statue De Verwoeste Stad (The Destroyed City), created by Ossip Zadkine.
Rotterdam’s Jewish population was also severely impacted, with thousands deported to concentration camps during the war.
After the war, Rotterdam underwent a remarkable reconstruction, embracing modernist architecture and urban planning.
The city center was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s, with new landmarks like the Lijnbaan, the first car-free shopping street in Europe, and the Euromast, which became a symbol of the city’s recovery.
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The 1980s saw the beginning of an architectural renaissance, with new developments such as the Kop van Zuid business district.
By the 1990s, Rotterdam’s architectural experimentation and forward-thinking urban policies transformed it into a vibrant, modern city.
In 2015, Rotterdam was named European City of the Year, cementing its reputation as a progressive, dynamic urban center.
The city’s skyline, shaped by bold architectural designs, has become an iconic representation of its post-war transformation.
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Rotterdam Now
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland.
It occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, where it connects to the New Meuse channel, an important inland shipping route.
This location has made Rotterdam a critical hub for international trade and logistics, and it is recognized as Europe’s largest seaport.
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The city plays a central role in global commerce, providing access to Western Europe, including the industrial powerhouse of the Ruhr region in Germany.
The city’s extensive network of waterways, railways, and roads has earned it the monikers “Gateway to Europe” and “Gateway to the World.”
The Rotterdam-The Hague metropolitan area, with a population of around 2.7 million people, is the 10th-largest in the European Union and the most populous region in the Netherlands.
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In 2022, Rotterdam itself had a population of 655,468 and is known for its cultural diversity, with over 180 different nationalities calling the city home.
Rotterdam is not only a major economic center but also a city known for its vibrant cultural scene, riverside setting, and strong maritime heritage.
The city’s long history as a maritime hub has shaped its identity and continues to influence its economic and cultural life.
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One of Rotterdam’s defining features is its unique architecture, which is a direct result of the near-total destruction of the city center during World War II.
The German bombing raids in 1940 wiped out much of the historic city, but in the decades following the war, Rotterdam was rebuilt with a modern, forward-thinking design.
The city became a showcase for innovative architecture, with towering skyscrapers and bold, unconventional designs by renowned architects such as Rem Koolhaas, Piet Blom, and Ben van Berkel.
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This architectural diversity, ranging from minimalist designs to more experimental structures, contributes to the city’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge architecture.
In addition to its industrial and architectural significance, Rotterdam is home to a prominent university and a lively cultural life, offering numerous museums, galleries, music festivals, and theaters.
Its modernity and historical significance, combined with its role as a key player in international trade, make Rotterdam one of the most dynamic and influential cities in the Netherlands and Europe.
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FAQs
Rotterdam is in Holland, specifically in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands, not in Germany.
Rotterdam is famous for being Europe’s largest seaport, its modern architecture, and its resilience after being nearly destroyed during World War II.
It is also known for its vibrant cultural scene and its status as a major logistics and economic center.
There is no city called Rotterdam in the UK. The only Rotterdam of note is in the Netherlands.
No, Rotterdam is a separate city from Amsterdam. It is located about 40 km south of Amsterdam, in the South Holland province of the Netherlands.