Rotterdam Photo Gallery - Katendrecht

Maashaven was built in the early 20th century as a berth for inland vessels, and warehouses sprung up along the quays. Katendrecht runs along its northern coast and was once the city's Chinatown and red light district. It's no longer as colourful now, being a more peaceful residential oasis right at the border of Rotterdam's more deprived southern neighbourhoods. My walking tour begins at Maashaven metro station, which is at the southeastern corner of the inlet. I then traced along the railway viaduct then along its northern waterfront, which has a nice and long promenade. Wedged between 2 inlets, Katendrecht is quite narrow, reaching just over 200m wide at maximum. One bus route connects residents to the metro network. The western tip is home to ss Rotterdam, a Holland America Line ship that was completed in 1959 with 2 slim chimneys, an odd sight at the time. The journey to New York would take 8 days and the ship sailed across the Atlantic until 1971 when flying became cheaper and more affordable. As the liner industry disappeared, the company shifted to the cruise business. It was renovated and brought back to Rotterdam, re-opening to the public in 2010, and now serves as a 254-room four-star hotel. Also check out the beautiful river views from the parks that wrap around the waterfront next to the ship. Heading across to the other side of Katendrecht, I reached the Nieuwe Mass riverfront and the view dramatically changes as Rotterdam's skyline emerges. There is plenty of public space here but I was a bit surprised the tourist crowds haven't discovered this area as a good vantage point of the city. Perhaps they're clustered around Erasmusbrug instead. North of Katendrecht and across the Rijnhaven inlet is Kop Van Zuid, Rotterdam's Manhattan. The historic lowrise by the water is now Hotel New York, the former Holland America Line headquarters. Dating from 1901, it survived World War II bombings that cleared out much of the city, and was repurposed into a hotel in 1993. The area around Deliplein was once the red light district's centre but has undergone transformation into a dining destination. There is outdoor dining on the square while on the other side of the street is the Fenix Food Factory, with an expansion under way. A pedestrian bridge then takes you across to Kop Van Zuid.