Archives for “the giant of rotterdam” tag

For many years I entered a really large door at Gouvernestraat 2. This was when Nighttown (later known as WATT and now all closed) office was located there. Not many people know why this door is so huge, but the 2.37 meters high, 230 kilos weighing and 62 shoe size (European size) Rigardus Rijnhout lived here.

He was born in 1922 in Rotterdam and climbed the stairs. He must have had a terrible life because 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!