Wijnhaven

The names of the old Rotterdam harbours - all located in the city centre - already betrayed their main function. You don't have te be a genius to guess what the main trade was in the 'Wijnhaven' - or, translated: Wine harbour. Some other names of the old harbours: 'Bierhaven' (Beer harbour), 'Glashaven' (Glass harbour) and 'Scheepmakershaven' (Ship builders harbour - the dock where all the main shipyards were located). The 'Wijnhaven' connects the 'Oude Haven' (Old harbour) and 'Leuvehaven', respectively the oldest natural harbour of Rotterdam (1350) and the oldest man-made harbour of the city (1609). The 'Wijnhaven' was constructed in 1613. During the bombardment of Rotterdam in World War II on may 14, 1940 the 'Wijnhaven' and all the old warehouses and houses surrounding it were completely destroyed. The 'Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk' for instance you see on the right of the painting was completely demolished together with all the other buildings you see in this painting. Remarkably one of of the - still - iconic buildings of the Rotterdam city centre survived the bombardment almost without a scratch: the 'Witte Huis' (White House). You can see it in the left of the painting. The White House was built at the end of the 19th century. With a height of 43 metres it is considerd to be the very first 'skyscraper' in Europe. The painting 'Wijhaven' measures (hxw): 65,5 x 85,5 cm.