Darting from city to city, town to town, trying to squeeze out as much of the little time I have here in the Netherlands, has been the best antidote to an awful year.
The 'kids' have done a great job planning our itinerary, and when we visited Rotterdam, we only had two destinations in mind. However, we still had time to spare, so added a third that was on our Netherlands bucket-list, but took us to another city, which I will share next time.
I was surprised to see hardly any historical buildings, but many modern highrises, and learned that most of Rotterdam was flattened during the World War II Blitz.
After the devastation, the city was rebuilt and now is a thriving city, boasting amazing architecture.
We took a tram from Rotterdam Centraal to our first destination, the enormous impressive Market Hall (Markthal). This is the place to go if you're looking for food; food vendors and restaurants serving food from all over the world. We walked around trying to decide what to have for lunch and were spoilt for choice, with delicious traditional and exotic food on offer.
The enormous 11,000 sq metres ceiling is the world’s largest 'painting', a mural made up of fish, insects, fruit, seeds, and vegetables.
The Market Hall surprisingly, or not, also offers residential units!
Trying to capture the massive high ceiling was a dizzying exercise!
Dutch Krokets feature on many menus here, but it's not quite my cup of tea. This jolly Kroket fella stood there inviting everyone.
Smoked meats, cheeses, and many sweet delights caught my eye, and I saw Christmas is on the way already!
We walked quite a bit that day and were amazed at the number of stunning modern buildings and stopped every so often to take pics on the way to our next destination.
The Blaak Office Building
Blaak Toren, and you will soon see what is attached to it on the other side.
One of the few old buildings that survived the World War II Blitz, is the 16th century old Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk. It was heavily damaged during the Blitz but restored to its former glory.
Next on our itinerary was something that blew my mind; the Cube Houses - Kijk-KubusHome look like they're floating in the sky, like something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie.
Tilted at a 45-degree angle they really do not look livable from the outside.
I was amazed to learn that they were built almost 40 years ago! The architect Jan Blom certainly had amazing foresight, and his motto was:
Living under an urban roof.
Walking up the steep narrow staircase into one of the cube houses on show, made me realize that this kind of living is not for the older generation.
No boring square boxes like most homes, once you're inside the walls are at all kinds of angles. It takes creativity to furnish the rooms, perfect for young creatives. The views are to die for, and the location is perfect; close to the city centre, the Old Harbour, Blaak Station, and the Market Hall. Trams also pass underneath the Cube Houses.
I would imagine these homes come at a steep price, they look really snazzy, but I would certainly not feel at home living inside one of these unusual houses!
The Blaaktoren highrise is connected to the Cube Houses.
We said our goodbyes to the Cube Houses and with time on hand jumped onto a tram and a bus to get to the Netherlands' famous Scheveningen Beach where we met the fisherman's wife, but that is a story for another day.
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I feel so ashamed not knowing about any of the buildings presented while I have friends living in more parts of Netherlands. Seems like I need to plan a visit there soon, lol! But hats off for the itinerary planned by your kids. I know how nice it feels to follow a good itinerary which will keep you distracted from daily routines and other things that consume your energy in the rest of the year.
Take care and have a lovely weekend! ❤️
I feel ashamed not knowing that much of Rotterdam was destroyed during World War II! You should try to plan a trip to the Netherlands, it is a country full of surprises.
You're so right, I normally am the one who plans holidays, feel really spoilt this time!
A lovely weekend to you as well Gabriela🤗
This was beautifully written and well documented, I just loved the post modern architectural designs here that I am only just seeing for the first time! If I had seen some of these in blue print I wouldn't fathom them being built! Thanks a lot for sharing!
Thank you @lemniscate, yes it was a real eye-opener for me as well. I only touched on a tiny part of Rotterdam, one really needs more time to see all the sights!
Oh wow I had no idea that they would have such cool architecture. It must be even cooler to see them up close. In fact they are borderline scary. I just love the cubes!
Looks like you had a sweet trip to help distract you. I wish you the best my friend.
Happy to see you here again.😊
It's so nice catching up with you again Carolyn, it's been quite a bumpy ride ever since losing my darling man. I was so sad getting on that flight without him, but it's been really good to get away.
I don't know if there are more bicycles or more stairs here in the Netherlands, most are very narrow and very steep!
The architecture everywhere is just amazing. I was shocked to learn much of Rotterdam's historic buildings were destroyed during World War II, they've certainly made up for it though!
Have a good weekend, and remember what I said, make time for yourselves too, life is too short xxx
I loved Rotterdam. We went about 2 months ago on a cruise. I loved the Market Hall and the Cube Houses. We didn’t go inside cause I had my two children with me and the stroller.
The other sites you went to look like they’re worth a visit too!
Wow, the cruise must have been super special @kathrynkw! Yep, you certainly could not have gone up those staircases even without the stroller, they are quite perilous!
One thing I've learnt here is that there possibly are more staircases than bicycles. When we stayed at an Airbnb, the staircase was REALLY scary, so I made sure I had everything with me at bedtime so it was only up and down at night and in the morning😄
Wow. This is amazing, the architecture is so modern and futuristic, your post was a real delight. I wouldn't feel at home in a cube house either, but I would be very happy to meet one. The building that survived the war is beautiful, too bad the others weren't so lucky.
Yes it is tragic what wars can do! When I see the beautiful historic buildings in the other cities, I can just imagine how the people living in Rotterdam must have felt.
How great it is to travel under a wonderful context and description through this kind of publications where not only knowledge but emotions are captured. Thank you for sharing this content with us.
Yes, it's been a very special time in more ways than one. Thank you for popping in @getheenspring
What a beautiful place. I'm glad the city has had this opportunity to be reborn. The buildings are very crazy jajaja but I like them a lot.
!LUV
Those cube houses are super crazy, and what surprised me more is that they're so modern but were built almost 40 years ago!
Great construction
For sure!
Wow Lizelle - this looks amazing. My son is now living and working in Amsterdam and I just had a 10 day stay with him which was wonderful.
That's awesome, I must try to meet up with Lee before I return on the 1st!
Ah I so wish we could have met up - and yes, I'd love it if you could meet up with Lee
Oh my, I love how the structure is being built and designed. I haven't seen such a kind of building.
Those buildings are new to me and indeed thy are uniquely drsigned hy talented architects.
Good to know those informations also.
For someone like me that never been in a city with those kind of structures, it really surprised and interest me.
Beautiful city, there are many buildings that make me interested and almost everything is very amazing. One of them is a building with an elegant style that is designed at an angle.
Yay! 🤗
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