De Verwoeste Stad - By Zadkine Rotterdam
Jun 5, 2025

De Verwoeste Stad - By Zadkine Rotterdam

Heartless city

""De Verwoeste Stad" (The Destroyed City, 1953) by artist Ossip Zadkine is a sculpture about Rotterdam's heart, lost in the war. Goosebumps, every time."

May 14th, 1940. Nazi Germany had attacked the Netherlands a few days earlier. Because of its industry, Rotterdam was an important target for the Nazis. But the city didn’t surrender as easy as expected. The Dutch marines, encamped in Rotterdam, defended its city with fierce and heroic fighting. Until the Nazis decided they had had enough. They bombarded the entire historical center and destroyed it. Over 900 people died and 80.000 became homeless. The bombardment was soon followed by the surrender of the Netherlands.

To commemorate this day, the French/Belarussian artist Ossip Zadkine made a sculpture that gives me goosebumps every time I see it. He named it De Verwoeste Stad (The Destroyed City, 1953). This bronze statue is over 6 meters tall and depicts a screaming man without a heart. He is in agony and throws his arms desperately in the sky. The missing heart illustrates Rotterdam’s destroyed city center, a city without a heart.

The statue is special to many people in the city. To the older people, who witnessed the bombardment, it represents pre-war Rotterdam and that dark day on the 14th of May. To the younger people, like myself, the statue represents a sense of pride. Even after that much setback, the city pulled itself together and became the wonderful city it is today. For that reason, I visit this beautiful and yet terrifying statue and think about all the city has gone through.

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Plein 1940

free

Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Rotterdam guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Rotterdam

The Sue Store (SUE) Rotterdam

The Sue Store (SUE)

Gluten-free vegan bliss

I personally love the tiramisu, rocky road, lavender lemon, and the very berry. The double choco cookie regularly finds its way to my bag as well...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Silvia

Graham

Jul 5, 2025
Louise Petit Dejeurner Rotterdam

Louise Petit Dejeurner

A slice of Paris

From crepes with Comte cheese and truffles, Croque Monsieur, and delicious pastries to even a doggie croissant for your faithful four-pawed friend.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Silvia

Graham

Jul 5, 2025
Freddy's Comfort Food Rotterdam

Freddy's Comfort Food

Southern Comfort

Freddy does things to chicken in an OG southern US way that is rarely done well. They have crunchy and juicy chicken, but even more, they have pazazz.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Silvia

Graham

Jul 5, 2025

AAP Noot Brood

Sourdough bakery near Schiemond

"AAP Noot Brood" in Rotterdam West is a neighborhood bakery with the tastiest sourdough bread around! Get some breakfast, coffee or a sandwich for lunch...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025
Teds Café Rotterdam

Teds Café

A rooftop all-day brunch spot

"Teds Café" in the Schiekade building is perfect if you want to have brunch, breakfast or lunch with a view of the Rotterdam skyline in a green terrace!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

Bun

Stone oven baked sandwiches

Bun, once a Blijdorp pop-up, is now a Rotterdam West staple. Fresh buns, cool vibes, and standout options like the Vegan Extravaganza. Worth the wait!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

Kula

All-day café & yoga

"Kula" Cafe is a one-of-a-kind place overlooking the beautiful, calm waters of Coolhaven, in Rotterdam. Get a delicious drink and then join a yoga class!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

Brienenoord Island

Nature escape

"Brienenoord Island", right on the Maas in Rotterdam, is so beautiful! It has walking paths, but it's mostly a natural paradise, despite being artificial!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

Historical Delfshaven

A walk through history

"Historic Delfshaven" is an area in Rotterdam filled with history and stories. It is one of the few places that survived the 1940 bombing...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

Dakpark

A rooftop haven in Delfshaven

The story of "Dak Park" in Rotterdam is inspiring: some people wanted this land to be developed, and others for a park to be built here. So they did both!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

De Distilleerketel

Windmill in Delfshaven

De Distilleerketel windmill in Rotterdam is considered one of the Netherlands' largest windmills. It makes for an absolutely photogenic scene!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nour

Nassar

Jul 4, 2025

Het Park

City park green extravagance

Het Park in Rotterdam is a part of nature around the famous landmark Euromast. There are old buildings to visit, art & beautiful birds, too.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Silvia

Graham

Jul 4, 2025

Heading to Rotterdam?

168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

168 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Rotterdam

Get to know our other Spotters from Rotterdam

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
40
Filters