Art & culture

In this small pub you can find all kinds of people, a reason for me to go there. The vibe is just really nice, even though it can be very crowded inside. This pub is open till late, so you might see the sun come up when you were just going to have one drink!

Since smoking isn’t allowed inside anymore, De Witte Aap has built a permanent terrace with heaters on the pavement right in front of the pub. A very smart thing to do I think. Smokers happy, the pub is extended and it always looks as if there are lots of people there.

Every month the pub offers an artist to show his or her art here. So you could come home a bit drunk and an art collector.

The Lonely Planet has voted ‘De Witte Aap’ the best pub in the world in 2010. Lets see what they do the coming years…

An old and beautiful place right in the centre of Rotterdam holds one part of the Museum Rotterdam. “Het Schielandhuis” has a permanent and just renewed exhibition ‘City of the people of Rotterdam’ on the first floor. Here you’ll be guided through the history of Rotterdam up ’till today.

In the basement there is a restaurant, a museum shop, but also the ‘Atlas van Stolk’. This part of the museum has a great collection of historical drawings of the Rotterdam wood collector Abraham van Stolk. The best of his collections is shown here and changes three times a year. The attic and the ground floor are reserved for all kinds of contemporary exhibitions.

Het Schielandhuis is my favorite museum, not only in Rotterdam but in the whole country. The exhibitions are always very innovative, creative and original. During my uni years I worked here, so as a trusted source I can tell you that the staff here is great.

The Netherlands Architecture Institute just reopened after a year of renovations. The museum has great new permanent exhibitions: ‘Dutchville’ where you can experience every side of the city and ’Treasury’ shows about 100 masterpieces from the NAI collection.

From April 20th two exhibitions (Making City and Smart Cities) of the 5th International Architecture Biennalle Rotterdam (IABR) are on show at The NAI, of which one (Making City) is the main exhibition of the IABR.

The NAI expanded with a new cafe, where you can get lunch, a good coffee or stay for something stronger. There’s a big sunny terrace which is great to relax. Coming with kids? They can play, build and create at a space above the Cafe called the ‘Hands-on Deck,’ while you enjoy your beer/wine .

Oh and don’t forget to visit the bookshop!

On the 19th of April the International Architecture Biennalle Rotterdam (IABR) opens at the NAI. From that date on  you can see the exhibitions ‘Making City’ and ‘Smart Cities’.

I entered so many times a really large door at Gouvernestraat 2 in the years that Nighttown’s (later known as WATT) office was located there. Not many people know why this door is so hugh, but the 2.37 meters high, 230 kilos weighing and 62 shoe sizing (European size) Rigardus Rijnhout lived here.

He was born in 1922 in Rotterdam. He must have had a terrible life cause of his size and all the complications that came with it. Rigardus died at the age of 36. 

We know Rigaldus as “De Reus van Rotterdam” (The Giant of Rotterdam). On June 6th 2011 a life-size bronze statue of Rigardus Rijnhout by artist Herman Lamers was unveiled in the parc next to his old house. Parc West Kruiskade 26. Now it’s the place where people go to get themselves a picture with The Giant of Rotterdam. It will make you feel small!

Sculpture International Rotterdam takes care of the art in the public space. Look around if you come from Central Station and walk towards the centre, cross West Kruiskade towards the Westersingel. Along this canal (find the art piece in the canal too!) which is partly a promenade, you will find sculptures from famous artists such as Moore, Rodin and Sapiro amongst many others.

Look for Paul McCarthy’s ‘Santa Claus’ at Eendrachtsplein. For several years it was located at a museum’s courtyard. I guess you can imagine why it offended people in the beginning. Locals call this sculpture Gnome Buttplug.

I don’t like David Bade’s sculpture ‘Anita’ which stands in the middle of West Blaak but I like the amazingly designed skate park. Why not check it out and have a look at the skaters, boarders, bikers look for the shoetree at the Blaak infront of the shop LEFT:).

If you decide to continue your way on the Westersingel towards West Zeedijk. At the corner of Museum park you’ll see a large Picasso sculpture. My favourite sculpture is Guiseppe Penone´s Elevazione, a bronze tree that slowly elevates by nature. Or Cascade by Joep van Lieshout, at the Coolsingel/Blaak infront of the Maritime museum.

A free map is also available via the tourist office!