Page 238 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

236  WESTERN NE THERLANDS

Exploring Rotterdam

Rotterdam is not only a symbol of post-war economic
recovery – it has more to offer than endless stretches of
thriving docklands and industrial areas. Rotterdam has
increasingly become one of the most important cultural
centres of the Netherlands. Although the city was a wasteland
immediately after World War II, it quickly recovered and
now boasts one of the country’s largest universities, a park
containing a number of interesting museums and a large zoo.

popular Oceanium is a theme
park showcasing sea creatures,
including sharks.
P Delfshaven
Rotterdam City Tourist Information, Canalside houses in a peaceful corner
Coolsingel 195–7 Tel 010-7900185 . q of Delfshaven
Delfshaven, which is outside the
town centre and is mainly famous is the tallest building in the
for being the birthplace of naval town. Before its construction
hero Piet Hein, looks very different began, in 1960, the mayor
from the rest of Rotterdam. This at the time, Van Walsum,
oasis of both history and culture complained that there was
within the modern city consists only enough money to build a
of a few streets with historic 50 m (165 ft) tower. This caused
buildings and a harbour with an uproar, because the mast
A gorilla sitting with her young at old sailing boats. The former was meant to be higher than
Diergaarde Blijdorp warehouses are now shops the Utrecht Domtoren
selling antiques, paintings and (cathedral tower), which was,
O Blijdorp antiquarian books. There are also at 112 m (367 ft), the highest
Blijdorplaan 8. @ 40, 44. Tel 0900- museums and restaurants. building in the country. That
1857. Open 9am–6pm daily. &  It was from Delfshaven that same evening, the mayor was
h 7 0 = ∑ rotterdamzoo.nl the Dutch Pilgrim Fathers left called by rich Rotterdam port
Rotterdam Zoo, often called for America in 1620. barons wanting to contribute
Diergaarde Blijdorp, is in many money to the construction of
ways a unique zoo. Its predec- J Euromast the building. These donations
essor, De Rotterdamsche Parkhaven 20. q Dijkzicht. in part enabled the tower to
Diergaarde (Rotterdam zoo), Tel 010-4364811. Open Apr–Sep: reach 110 m (361 ft). A space
was built in 1857 in the town 9:30am–10pm daily; Oct–Mar: tower was later added to the
centre. In 1937, the zoo was 10am–10pm daily. & h 0 top of the building for the
moved to Blijdorp polder, ∑ euromast.nl Communicatie-’70 show in
outside the centre. The architect One of the most famous 1970, bringing the tower to a
Van Ravesteyn designed the symbols of Rotterdam, Euromast total height of 185 m (607 ft).
new zoo and Blijdorp became
one of the first zoos to be
designed by one architect.
Blijdorp is also one of the few
European zoos to have its own
research department. It plays
an important part in breeding
programmes for rare and
endangered species, such as
the black-footed penguin.
For the last few years,
attempts have been made to
convert Blijdorp to the type of
zoo which tries to present the
animals in the most natural
habitat possible. Another
addition at the zoo is the gorilla
island. The huge, extremely The Rotterdam Beurstraverse, or “Koopgoot”, a bustling shopping mall
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp397–8 and pp410–11

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