Entrepothaven
Entrepothaven: history and marina in Rotterdam
Entrepothaven in Rotterdam is a former commercial harbour located on the southern bank of the Nieuwe Maas. What was once an important area for warehouses and cargo in the 19th century is now a peaceful marina surrounded by historic buildings, apartments, restaurants and waterfront terraces.
Its history is closely connected to the growth of the Port of Rotterdam and the entrepreneur Lodewijk Pincoffs, while the surrounding area also contains several memorials connected to one of the darkest periods in the city’s history during the Second World War.
History of Entrepothaven
Entrepothaven was excavated in the late 19th century as Rotterdam’s commercial activity expanded and the city needed additional harbour and storage space.
The entrepreneur Lodewijk Pincoffs acquired land on the southern bank of the river to develop warehouses and port facilities. The bonded warehouse system allowed certain imported goods to be stored without immediately paying import duties, helping Rotterdam develop into an important centre for the transit and transshipment of goods.
Entrepotgebouw Vijf Werelddelen
In 1874, the Entrepotgebouw Vijf Werelddelen, meaning “Five Continents”, was constructed. The enormous warehouse was used to store products such as coffee, tea, sugar and spices.
The building is almost 200 metres long and was divided into five sections named after the continents. For its time, it was an exceptionally modern facility, equipped with hydraulic cranes, railway connections and its own harbour: Entrepothaven.
Entrepothaven today
The former Entrepot building was later redeveloped and now contains apartments and commercial businesses.
The harbour itself has also completely changed its purpose. The former cargo and storage area is now a marina where yachts and other boats are surrounded by apartments, restaurants and cafés with terraces overlooking the water.
This combination of industrial heritage and modern residential use makes Entrepothaven a good example of how Rotterdam has transformed many of its former harbour areas.
Jewish Children’s Monument
Near the entrance to the harbour, on the other side of the drawbridge, stands the Jewish Children’s Monument, dedicated to the 686 Jewish children from Rotterdam who were deported during the Second World War and murdered during the Holocaust.
The monument is designed as a semicircle and displays the names of the children, whose ages ranged from just one month to twelve years old.
The children were deported together with adults from Rotterdam to the Westerbork transit camp in Drenthe and were later transported to extermination camps including Auschwitz and Sobibor.
Loods 24
Nearby you will also find the site of Loods 24 (Shed 24), another important place of remembrance in Rotterdam.
Thousands of Jewish residents of Rotterdam were deported from this location during the Nazi occupation. Today the site is preserved as a memorial area intended for remembrance and reflection.
The space contains elements recalling the former shed and commemorating the people who were deported from this location during the Second World War.
Poortgebouw
Beside the drawbridge that allows boats to enter Entrepothaven from the river stands the Poortgebouw, one of the most recognisable historic buildings in the area.
It was built in 1879 as the headquarters of the trading association connected to Lodewijk Pincoffs. It was later associated with the activities of the Holland-America Line between 1889 and 1901.
Its architecture and position beside the entrance to the former harbour are reminders of the importance of this area during Rotterdam’s commercial expansion in the late 19th century.
What to see near Entrepothaven
Entrepothaven is located in an interesting part of Rotterdam to explore on foot. From here you can continue towards Kop van Zuid and discover more of the former harbour areas on the southern bank of the Nieuwe Maas.
Besides the marina, look out for the former Entrepotgebouw, the Poortgebouw, the Jewish Children’s Monument and the Loods 24 memorial.
If you are interested in seeing how Rotterdam has transformed former industrial harbour areas into new residential neighbourhoods and public spaces, Entrepothaven is a particularly interesting stop.
Watch Entrepothaven Rotterdam
Watch our video with photos of Entrepothaven and the surrounding harbour area. The video is in English with Spanish subtitles.
Other docks and harbours in Rotterdam
Continue exploring Rotterdam’s historic docks, harbours and waterfront areas:
Rotterdam docks | Delfshaven | Leuvehaven | Oudehaven | Parkhaven | Rijnhaven | Veerhaven