Delftsche Poort

Delftsche Poort: Rotterdam’s former city gate

The Delftsche Poort is a distinctive work of art located near Hofplein that recalls one of Rotterdam’s former city gates.

The original Neoclassical gate was designed by architect Pieter de Swart and built between 1768 and 1773. It stood at Hofplein and was one of the city’s most important monuments.

Rotterdam was once surrounded by several gates that controlled access to the city. As Rotterdam expanded and its old fortifications disappeared, these structures gradually lost their original purpose.

The disappearance of the old Delftsche Poort

For many years, the Delftsche Poort was considered one of Rotterdam’s most impressive monuments. However, as traffic increased during the 20th century, its location at Hofplein began to be seen as an obstacle to the city’s development.

In 1939, the gate was carefully dismantled with the intention of rebuilding it elsewhere at a later date.

The stored components were severely damaged during the bombing of Rotterdam on 14 May 1940, making the reconstruction of the original monument ultimately impossible.

Cor Kraat’s Delftsche Poort

Decades later, Rotterdam decided to symbolically restore this part of its history.

Artist Cor Kraat designed an abstract reconstruction of the former gate using a metal structure that reproduces its main lines and dimensions.

The artwork was installed close to the site of the original gate and works almost like a three-dimensional drawing, allowing visitors to imagine the silhouette of the former monument without attempting to reproduce it literally.

Around the structure, you can still see several decorative elements connected with the former gate, while other original pieces were preserved in the collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.

Delftsche Poort: practical information

Other sculptures in Rotterdam

Cascade | De Boeg | De Reus | Erasmus | Everybody is dead but us | Fikkie | Gevallenen | Maasbeeld | Marathonbeeld | Marten Toonder | Santa Claus | Untitled | Slavernij Monument | Sylvette | Verwoeste Stad | Westersingel