Rotterdam Photo Gallery - Kop van Zuid

Kop van Zuid is Rotterdam's version of Manhattan with huge skyscrapers for people to live and work that rose from abandoned docklands. Dug at the end of the 19th century, the southern harbours were no longer fit for purpose after World War II. New and more modern facilities were built to the west, so this area fell into decline until the 1980s when urban renewal started. Holland America Line's boats once departed from this cruise terminal building. This area is known as "handkerchief quay", where many tears were shed here as migrants boarded the boats for a new life in America. Many of these migrants came to Rotterdam from other parts of Europe by train, who would then be checked for diseases and lice before being allowed to continue their journey. Otherwise, they could be sent back from New York at the shipping company's expense. During World War II, many of Holland America Line's buildings were damaged. Here, 430m of the 700m of sheds were destroyed, only to be rebuilt after the war in the late 1940s. Of the 5 sheds built, only 1 survives today - the one we see now. To the east of the metro line, the residential buildings become shorter as they cluster around the Spoorweghaven and Binnenhaven waterways with plenty of promenades and public spaces so residents can enjoy the scenery.