Sights in Rotterdam
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Willemswerf
Walk alongside the water on Boompjes until you see the striking 1998 Willemswerf, the headquarters of the huge Nedlloyd shipping company. Note the dramatic lines casting shadows on its sleek, white surface.
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Museum Boijmans van Beuningen
Among Europe’s very finest museums, the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen has a permanent collection spanning all eras of Dutch and European art, including superb old masters. Among the highlights are The Marriage at Cana by Hieronymus Bosch, the Three Maries at the Open Sepulchre by Van Eyck, the minutely detailed Tower of Babel by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, and Portrait of Titus and Man in a Red Cap by Rembrandt. Renaissance Italy is well represented; look for The Wise and Foolish Virgins by Tintoretto and Satyr and Nymph by Titian.
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Oude Kerk
One of Rotterdam's few districts to survive the war, Delfshaven was once the official seaport for the city of Delft. A reconstructed 18th-century windmill overlooks the water at Voorhaven 210. One of the area's claims to fame is that it was where the Pilgrims left Holland for America aboard the Speedwell. They could barely keep the leaky boat afloat and, in England, eventually transferred to the Mayflower - the rest is history.
The Oude Kerk on Voorhaven is where the Pilgrims prayed for the last time before leaving on 22 July 1620.
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Huis Sonneveld
Huis Sonneveld, designed by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt is an outstanding example of the Dutch New Building architectural strain (also known as Dutch functionalism). This 1933 villa has been lovingly restored, with furniture, wallpaper and fixtures present and correct – it is an astonishing experience, almost like virtual reality.
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Oorlogs Verzets Museum
A much darker theme is found at the Oorlogs Verzets Museum, where the sounds of German bombers greet you for exhibits that fittingly are sheltered under a bridge. Displays recount life in Rotterdam during WWII; the fear in the faces of people fleeing the bombing in a 1940 photo is raw.
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Rotterdam Walk of Fame
The Rotterdam Walk of Fame features handprints from luminaries including Bryan Adams, Bryan Ferry, Dizzy Gillespie, 'Diamond' David Lee Roth, Kamahl, Roxette, Willie Nelson - and even Spandau Ballet (the Netherlands being perhaps the only country in the world that still remembers who they are).
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Nederlands Fotomuseum
The Nederlands Fotomuseum mainly has large, special exhibitions, so the value of a visit depends on what’s on (if it’s Hans van der Meer, go!). Bits of the permanent collection (which is magnificent but hidden) can be accessed by various form-over-function gizmos.
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Oude Haven
The Oude Haven area, near the Blaak train, metro and tram station, preserves the oldest part of the harbour, some of which dates from the 14th century. It's a decent place for a stroll, especially if you take time to look at the large collection of historic boats.
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Show Cube
The fittingly named Show Cube, is open to the public. Look for the tiny chess museum in the cube complex, with all kinds of chess pieces on display – everything from ancient Hindu examples to likenesses of Jabba the Hut.
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De Dubbelde Palmboom
De Dubbelde Palmboom is a history museum housing an excellent collection of items relating to Rotterdam’s history as a port. Displays are spread throughout the 1826 warehouse, and many have a sociological bent.
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Wereldmuseum
The Wereldmuseum celebrates multiculturalism, focusing on rituals, stories and sacred objects. It has been closed for several years of renovations, it should reopen soon. Major exhibits will change regularly.
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Haven Museum
The Haven Museum comprises all manner of old and historic ships moored in the basin. You can always wander the quays; when the visitor centre is open you can learn more about what’s tied up.
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Openlucht Binnenvaart Museum
Check out the Openlucht Binnenvaart Museum, which has a collection of historic inland waterway boats that fills much of the basin. Restorations are ongoing; sit on a shady wall and watch.
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Nederlands Architectuur Instituut
The Nederlands Architectuur Instituut is striking. However, exhibits change regularly; there is nothing permanent on Dutch architecture so its value as a stop depends on what is on.
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Kunsthal
The Kunsthal hosts around 20 temporary exhibitions (including art and design) each year. Everything from ‘elitist to popular’ gets an airing.
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RailZ Miniworld
The Dutch love of the world in miniature is celebrated at RailZ Miniworld, a ginormous 500 sq metre model railroad re-creating Rotterdam and the Randstad.
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Historisch Museum het Schielandhuis
The Historisch Museum het Schielandhuis exhibits focus on everyday life through the ages, such as the (purportedly) oldest surviving wooden shoe..
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Tuin Schoonoord
Tuin Schoonoord, is a hidden re-creation of an idealised Dutch wilderness that seems to have been taken right from a Renaissance painting.
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Euromast
At 185m, a shimmy up the Euromast offers unparalleled 360-degree views of Rotterdam.
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