Archives for “local” tag

Not many Rotterdammers are aware of the existence of De Tempel, while in fact this special place belongs to them. I am a seasoned explorer but for years even I have been passing by this place not even noticing it. Until one day my eye fell on a small plaque on the fence saying “open to the public on weekends and holidays”. Needless to say next weekend I was on the grounds exploring and what I found was pure magic.

Shortly after WWII the Van Beek family, owners of De Tempel, sold it to the city of Rotterdam on the condition that the estate will be accessible to the public, and it still is. The shady park around the mansion is quite vast, and a bit creepy, especially considering the fact that until recently the place was a mental institution. The 6 species of bats residing here make the Adams Family atmosphere complete.

If you do dare to visit, and take the effort to get here (bus nr. 40 stops in front of the entrance), you get to experience a unique location, home not only to bats and nuts, but also to over 50 different bird species. De Tempel is home to temporary residents, but is still open, although in the summer months probably not exactly from sunrise.

Café Floor is where I usually end up after a movie in Pathe cinema. They may not have the widest selection of beers, but it is certainly a very well balanced list, and that’s something I appreciate a lot in a café.

The arty ambiance is enhanced by the intelligent personnel, whom I always find polite, efficient and attentive. This summer I also discovered that Floor has a beergarten-like courtyard, where you can enjoy your drink or a lunchtime snack.

The best time in café Floor is of course during the Rotterdam Film Festival, when the arty-fartiness peaks. Floor is then my place of choice to chill with a cappuccino between midday screenings or to discuss the latest developments in experimental Japanese cinema with random strangers.

But come rain or sunshine, Floor is a great place to visit all year round. Even if you’re not a highbrow hipster.

There is a surprising amount of “hunting ground” for the urban ornithologist in Rotterdam. The real hubs of bird life in the city are places like De Tempel and De Esch. But even in my neighborhood of Rubroek I have already spotted more than two dozens of species, and I am by no means an expert birdwatcher.

I regularly see various seagulls, jays, magpies and ravens. Even woodpeckers nest here in hollow trees. My favorites are certainly the swifts. There’s a colony of these little screechers living on the block, in special tiles that have been laid for them during roof renovations. Their arrival at the end of April is always a cheering sign that the summer is not far away.

In August my swifts leave to South Africa for the winter. The leafless trees and bushes, however, make it actually easier to spot the other birds, like robins or green parakeets (yes, they live here too). I invite you to take a birdwatching walk in Rubroek – and don’t forget your bird guide! I doubt the parakeet will be in it though.

I’d like to think that Rotterdam not only started to appreciate it’s old(er) constructions but also wants to give people a chance to transform and re-use these places when they shut down and lost their functionality.

The monumental Hofbogen is one of these places, a 1.9 km long viaduct railroad, the Hofpleinlijn, in the north part of town which goes from Rotterdam to the Hague. It was built in the beginning of the 20th century to carry mostly people to the beach of Scheveningen but also connected with other small cities in between.

The former Hofpleinstation has been the location for several interesting performances like the wintercinema or dancepiece Common Ground by dance company Conny Janssen Danst and the Motel Mozaique Festival.

Some spaces underneath are already in use by mostly small shops but a big part of this construction still looks forlorn and neglected. The part at former Hofpleinstation is being fabulously renovated and now houses the Mini Mall.  

It’s where jazz joint and stage Bird, ComiQuest for comic addicts, coffee bar Lokaal and more are to be found and has brought new lively vibrations in this a bit forgotten area. Come around and see for yourself!

Their outdoor terrace is inviting to hang around when they organise events or block parties during the day. Sunshine galore.

In the near future the Luchtsingel project will connect to this part and hopefully a nice city park will be created on top of it all.

“Voorlopig” is a cute name (for the time being) for a special gift shop that focus on people who think out of the box. 

Located in one of the nicest shopping streets down town, the Nieuwe Binnenweg. Opposite the oldest Dutch interior design-shop Metz at number 170 that celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2010.

At Voorlopig you’ll find a very nice intuitively combined collection of beautiful presents you won’t find anywhere else. Handcrafted art objects made by poets, writers and artists.

There are many interesting, touching, surprising books on architecture, tree houses, poetry, funny gifts and more. Limited edition screen prints, lino’s and paintings, lucky balloons, amazing large collection of birdhouses, original postcards. Snoop around, be touched and warned as this shop will inspire you finding nice presents for, young and old, yourself and your beloved ones.

Every week they have new things, so I find it’s always worth re-visiting there.

P.S. they offer workshops too