Erasmus Bridge, Rotterdam

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The Erasmus Bridge crosses the Nieuwe Maas and links Rotterdam’s northern centre with Kop van Zuid on the south bank. It opened in 1996 and was designed by Dutch architect Ben van Berkel. The bridge is 802 metres long, and its angled steel pylon rises 139 metres above the river. The asymmetric pylon and fan of cables earned it the nickname “The Swan” and made it a defining landmark of modern Rotterdam. Its structure combines a cable-stayed span with a movable section that allows ships to pass along the Nieuwe Maas. The bridge is more than a transport link: it connected the historic centre with former docklands that later developed into new neighbourhoods, waterfront promenades, cultural venues and high-rise buildings. From the pedestrian and cycle approaches, visitors can see the river traffic, the city centre and the skyline of the southern bank. The contrast between older urban fabric and the newer Kop van Zuid is especially clear from the bridge. It can be included in a walk along the riverfront and Wilhelminapier, where several of Rotterdam’s contemporary landmarks stand close together. At night the bridge is illuminated; in daylight its distinctive pylon remains visible from many points along both banks.

Address

Роттердам, Южная Голландия, Нидерланды

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