On May 14th, 1940, the heart of Rotterdam was wiped out in just a few minutes by a devastating bombing raid. It’s almost unimaginable today: a once-vibrant city centre reduced to smouldering ruins. During this powerful walking tour along the Fireboundary (Brandgrens), you’ll pause to reflect on what was lost – and how the city found the strength to rebuild itself from the ashes.
Walking the line of destruction
Scattered throughout the city centre, thousands of glowing lights embedded in the pavement mark the 12-kilometre-long Fireboundary – the line between what survived and what was destroyed. As you follow this trail, you’ll uncover stories of pre-war Rotterdam, learn about the dramatic events of May 14th, and discover which buildings somehow withstood the flames. What was Rotterdam like before the war? What was lost forever? And – remarkably – did anything good come out of the devastation?
A city that looked forward
Rather than reconstruct what once was, Rotterdam chose a bold path: the creation of an entirely new city. This courageous decision resulted in a modern, forward-looking cityscape, making Rotterdam a symbol of post-war reconstruction and innovative architecture across Europe. At the same time, the harbour was rapidly expanded, and by the 1960s Rotterdam had become the largest port in the world. This tour is perfect for anyone interested in history, World War II, urban development, architecture – and in the resilience of a city that dared to reinvent itself.
