Rotterdam
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Rotterdam images below | Maastricht
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Rotterdam's
famous Cube Houses [Kubuswoningen, built in 1984]
in the largest port in Europe - The Hague is not the only Dutch city
to successfully experiment with modern architecture.
Rotterdam
dates from 1340, is the Netherlands' second largest city and contains
more non-native Dutch than any other city in the country with large
communities of Turks, Surinamese and Moroccans.
A popular saying by citizens of Rotterdam is: 'Money is earned
in Rotterdam, divided in The Hague and spilled in Amsterdam.'
However these days Rotterdammers are doing a good job of €uro-spilling
themselves with dramatic urban renewal projects, excellent museums,
fine home-grown music - both orchestral and hip-hop - and masses of
local festivals. It was European Capital of Culture in 2001 and has
a reputation as one of the Europe's best clubbing cities.
Rotterdam's
1996 Erasmus Bridge, also know as The Swan [De Zwaan], linking north
and south parts of the city.
Top
sights are the magnificently modern structures, a few fine
old buildings, notable museums such as Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum
[for great masters], the Kunsthal [for contemporary art and design]
and the Netherlands Architecture Institute [NAI]. The Euromast Tower
is great for a panoramic views of the city and has some high altitude
accommodation.
One
less attractive aspect but a major source of income for Holland's
Rotterdam, petrochemical refining.
Maastricht
photos
Rotterdam's
old port.
There
is no shortage of the old stuff in Rotterdam to compete with the avant-garde.
Beaches, however, are hard to come by. From time to time the local
council builds artificial beaches but with little success as sand
is shallow and waters polluted. The Hook of Holland is the nearest
beach destination.
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