Rotterdam city guide

Loods 24 was a barrack, where the Jews of Rotterdam and the surroundings were gathered in 1942-1943 before being transported to Westerbork and from there to the extermination camps. At the site, there is a monument to the deported Jewish children under the Mitzwah age (12 for girls, 13 for boys). It’s a very simple monument, just a list of the names and ages, 686 in total. None of them survived.

Occasionally, when I pass by, I stop and read a few of the names. Just a couple – I can’t read too many of them because the lump in my throat becomes too big. I don’t think many Rotterdammers know about the existence of this spot. But I think more of them should know it and I hope they will read this, too, and give Loods 24 a thought next time they pass it by on their walk between the bridges.

This is not one of the “fun” spots. But that, I think, is what makes the difference between a tourist and a traveller. The tourist is looking for fun. The traveller seeks to experience and to understand. Be a bit of a traveller.