Rotterdam has many reasons to be visited. It is a nightlife city, a modern international city and is known for many aspects.
Rotterdam is home to one of the largest ports in the world. This is why Rotterdam is also called the World Port City. The modern architecture is also typical for the city. After Rotterdam was bombed in the Second World War, it was decided to give Rotterdam a new future look, instead of just rebuilding the buildings. Today we still see this vision of Rotterdam in the rapid growth of the city. Besides the port and the modern architecture, there is also a wide range of restaurants, clubs, attractions, events, festivals, art and culture. (Under the heading sights you will find some examples of what Rotterdam has to offer) Due to the good public transport connections that Rotterdam Central Station offers, Rotterdam is an excellent city to explore.
Rotterdam once started as a fishing village. Around 1270 a dam was built in the Rotte. The town quickly changed into a trading village. Even then, there was rapid growth in the city. In 1340 Rotterdam received city rights. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Rotterdam was expanded to within the city walls. After 1872 this changed, after the construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg the city was expanded to outside the city walls. Because of the port Rotterdam became the industrial heart of Europe. The port also provided labor and so other peoples moved to Rotterdam to work.
During the Second World War, the city was bombed. A large part was hit hard, but reconstruction started immediately. This resulted in the modern architecture and the beautiful skyline that can be found in the city. The city experienced a growth of prosperity and immigrants moved to Rotterdam, which makes the city the multicultural city of today.
* One of the most famous Rotterdammers was Desiderius Erasmus, he was a scholar who was born around 1467. His name is still often seen in the city.
