The Swan
The angled pylon and white cables — Rotterdam's icon.
W. Bulach — CC BY-SA 4.0 · F.Eveleens — CC BY 3.0 · Paul van de Velde from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Mozzihh — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Erasmus Bridge is Rotterdam's modern icon, its symbol on every postcard: an elegant white cable-stayed bridge (1996) crossing the river Maas over eight hundred metres, with a single 139-metre angled pylon holding the cables — locals call it "the Swan" for its graceful bend. It became at once the symbol of the new, ambitious Rotterdam linking its old and modern banks. Crossing it on foot or by bike is the essential Rotterdam experience: from the historic centre to the southern Kop van Zuid bank with its bold glass towers — where Rotterdam's most famous skyscrapers stand, like Rem Koolhaas's "De Rotterdam". And the view from its middle over the skyline, especially at sunset and when lit at night, is among the city's loveliest. Free and always open, it is the natural finale of the architecture walk — from the Cube Houses to the bridge to the southern bank.
The angled pylon and white cables — Rotterdam's icon.
The city's towers from mid-bridge at sunset.
The modern southern bank with its bold towers.
Erasmusbrug, 3011 Rotterdam
WereldmuseumA museum of world cultures in the Royal Yacht Club's building: founded in 1885 f6 minutes walk4.2
The Loods 24 MemorialA memorial in Rotterdam on the site of a dockside warehouse used in 1942 as the 9 minutes walk3.8
Villa ZebraVilla Zebra is an art museum for children in the Kop van Zuid district south of 9 minutes walk4.1
The Tax and Customs MuseumThe Tax and Customs Museum occupies a villa on the Parklaan in Rotterdam, and it10 minutes walk4.1
Kunsthal RotterdamA museum without a collection: the Kunsthal (1992) was designed by Rem Koolhaas,12 minutes walk4.5Cross on foot from the centre to the southern bank at sunset, pause in the middle for the view, then return at night when it is lit. Or take the famous Water Taxi across the river beneath it — a local Rotterdam experience. The Spido harbour cruises pass under it too, for the full port view.