De Hef
De Hef, Rotterdam’s historic railway bridge
De Hef is the popular name of the Koningshavenbrug, one of Rotterdam’s most recognisable bridges. This former railway bridge connects Noordereiland with the Feijenoord district and has become an important symbol of the city’s industrial and maritime history.
It formed part of the Rotterdam–Dordrecht railway line, opened in 1877 as part of the railway connection between Amsterdam and Belgium. The present vertical-lift bridge was designed by engineer Pieter Joosting and entered service in 1927.
History of De Hef
At the end of the 19th century, the rapid growth of Rotterdam and its port created the need for better railway connections between the north and south of the Netherlands. In 1877, a railway bridge opened across the Koningshaven with a central section that was originally designed as a swing bridge.
The bridge became increasingly problematic for the busy shipping traffic. After a serious accident in 1918, when a ship collided with the swing bridge and caused considerable damage, plans were made to replace it with a new vertical-lift bridge.
Preparatory work began in 1925 and the new De Hef was officially opened on 31 October 1927. At the time, it was an impressive piece of engineering and one of the first major vertical-lift bridges of its kind in Western Europe.
De Hef as a national monument
The construction of the Willemsspoortunnel moved the railway tracks beneath the river. As a result, De Hef lost its railway function on 24 September 1993.
When demolition of the bridge was proposed, the plans caused strong opposition among Rotterdam residents. Public protests helped save De Hef, and the bridge was eventually protected as a Rijksmonument, a Dutch national monument, in October 2000.
A major restoration was carried out in 2016. Steel components and cables were replaced, old layers of paint were removed and the bridge was repainted in its characteristic original moss-green colour.
How De Hef works
De Hef consists of two large steel towers with a movable bridge section of approximately 53 metres between them. A system of cables, pulleys and large counterweights allowed the railway deck to be raised so that ships could pass through the Koningshaven.
Today, the central section normally remains raised to allow shipping traffic to pass. The bridge no longer carries trains, but it continues to dominate the skyline around Noordereiland together with the nearby Willemsbrug.
From railway bridge to Rotterdam landmark
With its industrial structure and enormous steel towers, De Hef quickly became a characteristic feature of Rotterdam. Today it is one of the most visible reminders of the city’s railway and port history.
Watch our video below for more images of De Hef and its surroundings in Rotterdam.
Discover other bridges in Rotterdam
Erasmusbrug | Koninginnebrug | Luchtsingel | Maastunnel | Regentessebrug | Rijnhavenbrug | Van Brienenoord | Willemsbrug