Rotterdam, Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Rotterdam (Netherlands / Holland) section of FerryCrossings.org, the site for information about major UK and continental ports and the ferries between them. Our site includes an introduction to a number of ports and feature pages about the various crossing ways, lanes and routes and companies operating between them to help you plan your journey and discover interesting travel destinations along the way. You can even compare prices and save money on your ferry tickets with ads from selected booking sites and major ferry lines.

Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands / Holland

Rotterdam. Rotterdam is one of the largest and busiest ports in the world. It is situated at the the head of the delta formed by the confluence of the Rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt. The area around the original settlement was already being protected from flooding by the construction of dykes and dams by the 12th century. Its importance as a port was recognised in 1340 when the town was granted 'city rights'. The port became a vital link in commerce between Holland, Germany and England. Its importance continued to grow and it became one of the six city ports ( Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, Enkhuizen, Middelburg and Hoorn ) that raised the capital to start the Dutch East India Company that, for two centuries, had a monopoly and dominated all aspects of trade in Asia and the East.

Rotterdam's viability as a major international port was threatened in the early 19th century as the rivers began to silt up and it became a tortuous exercise getting big ships into Rotterdam. Drastic measures were called for and construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg ("New Waterway"), the cutting of a canal through to the North Sea at Hook of Holland, thereby literally taking the mouth of the River Rhine to the sea, was started in 1863. In 1872 work on the canal was completed and Rotterdam's port prosperity assured. It's completion was followed by a burst of activity in the building industry as new offices, warehouses and large homes were built. Today, the massive container ships and super-tankers that use the waterway mean that it has to be dredged constantly to maintain access.

In May 1940 disaster struck the Netherlands as German forces invaded the country and bombed Rotterdam. Within four days the Dutch authorities had surrendered but not before the centre of Rotterdam had been completely destroyed. This heart rending destruction was captured, after the war, by the exiled Russian artist and sculptor Ossip Zadkine, in his sculpture, "The Destroyed City", known also by the nickname 'City Without a Heart'. The statue can be seen on the riverbank near the Leuvehaven, (the old harbour with its collection of historic ships and, in the Port Museum, examples of old port equipment and memorabilia), and not far from the Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge). The re-built city centre contains many new, exciting and innovative architectural styles incorporating both homes and businesses into the new centre.

Much of Rotterdam actually lies below sea level but is protected from flooding by a massive system of dykes. Today the city is home to many major international industrial and manufacturing companies. In-coming goods through the port of Rotterdam are then transported by ship, river boat, trail or road into the heart of Europe. However, the city is not just a place of industry and commerce, it has at its heart a rich cultural heritage and, in 2001, was European Capital of Culture. There are numerous theatres and concert halls and the city has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. There is a zoo, the Diergaarde Blijdorp with a massive aquarium, the Oceanium, dedicated to scientifc research and the conservation of coral.

If your interest is in art and museums then there are plenty to choose from and a visit to the Boijmans van Beuningen museum is a must, where you can see the work of Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Degas, Van Gogh and Monet together with work from 20th century artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali. Other well known museums include the Historisch Museum (The Historical Museum) and the Volkenkundig Museum. A modern, purpose built gallery and exhibition space is the Kunsthal which presents exhibitions on such diverse subjects as 'Imperial Rome' and 'Trabant'. Two of Rotterdam's most famous sons are the philosopher Desiderius Erasmus and the artist Willem de Kooning. The city is re-inventing itself as a vibrant place for shopping, nightlife, modern architecture, carnivals and festivals although the more familiar perception of the city is one of hard-working down to earth citizens.