Bridges

Here we have a selection of the most beautiful bridges in Rotterdam. Click on the pictures for more information.

Rotterdam owes its existence to the water. The city was founded in the 13th century around a dam built on the river Rotte. After the construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg canal in 1872, Rotterdam became one of the world’s largest ports and the second largest city in the Netherlands.

Rotterdam is a city surrounded by water, and its historic center, with its rivers Maas, Schie, Rotte, and many canals, has had numerous bridges. However, during the bombing in 1940, many old bridges were destroyed, and the debris was used to fill the Schie. As a result, many new bridges and tunnels were built.

In the late 19th century, as the city expanded towards Feijenoord, bridges over the Nieuwe Maas River became necessary. The port grew, the population increased, and so did the traffic. Willemsbrug and a railway bridge were constructed to cross the Nieuwe Maas.

The construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg canal provided a direct connection to the North Sea, and this led to the creation of numerous new ports.

Most of the port expansion took place on the south bank of the Maas River and brought economic growth and employment to the city for many decades. However, the bridges became obstacles to the busy maritime traffic. They had to be tall enough to allow large ships to pass through or be able to open. As maritime traffic continued to grow, tunnels under the river became the preferred solution. In 1942, the Maas tunnel became the first underwater tunnel in the Netherlands.

Rotterdam used to have many bridges for bicycles and pedestrians. However, these were removed in 1968 with the opening of the metro.

In recent decades, the port has gradually shifted westward towards the (Second) Maasvlakte. The ports on the north and south banks of the city have lost their original functions, resulting in less activity on the water. Nevertheless, living and working on the water have become increasingly popular in the past twenty years. After the construction of the Rijnhavenbrug, a new bridge has been recently constructed over the Wijnhaven.

Consequently, the transformation of the old ports is changing, and there is a growing need for short urban connections for pedestrians and cyclists.

Connected City

Erasmusbrug has become the main bridge in the city, linking the north and south areas. The Wilhelmina Pier is now part of the urban area, and with the Rijnhavenbrug, Katendrecht has been transformed into a lively urban district. The bridge has proven to be a vital factor in creating a connected city.

Currently, there are discussions about the possibility of constructing a third urban bridge between the Feijenoord and Kralingen neighborhoods.

Discover the bridges in Rotterdam