Home » Highlights of Post-War Modernism
The historic centre of Rotterdam was completely destroyed in World War II and rebuilt after the war, based on a modernist urban plan.
After the war, Cornelis van Traa designed the famous Basic Plan for the Reconstruction of Rotterdam. The entire city centre was constructed according to this two-dimensional urban plan.
At the time, authorities and planners were both convinced that Rotterdam needed a fresh start — also in architectural terms. This approach turned the city into the Dutch capital of post-war modernism, featuring many remarkable buildings from the 1950s and 1960s. In recent years, these highlights of post-war architecture get more and more recognition. Since 1999, 26 of them are listed as national heritage sites, while others have been integrated into new developments.
On this tour we’ll take you on a walk along several prime examples of post-war architecture and explain about their historical context as well as their current relevance.
Your health is our top priority! Our tours take place in the open air, with 1,50 metre safety distance between participants and max. 15 participants per guide. A user-friendly and hygienic audioguide system is available and can be used with your own headphones.