Delftse Poort Monument
A bold orange sculpture near Rotterdam Central Station, symbolizing the historical Delftse Poort city gate lost in WWII.
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Delftse Poort Monument
Best Time
Best light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A bold orange sculpture near Rotterdam Central Station, symbolizing the historical Delftse Poort city gate lost in WWII.
"A magnificent monument in the heart of Rotterdam, an artist's creation reflecting the old city gate. "
📍 Location Near Station
Easily accessible right by Rotterdam Central Station, making it a quick stop.
🤔 Understand the Art
It's an artistic impression, not a replica. Appreciate its modern design and historical symbolism.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Orange Steel Sculpture
Near Rotterdam Central Station
A striking modern art piece symbolizing Rotterdam's resilience and historical memory.
Stepping Through History
The monument itself
Walk through the sculpture to symbolically connect with the past and the city's journey.
The Delftse Poort Skyscraper
Across from Central Station
A modern architectural landmark sharing its name and honoring the historical gate.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Location and Significance
Understanding the Monument
Best Times
Insider Tips
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Rotterdam Delftse Poort Station, c. 1860 (see comments)
📍 Location Near Station
Easily accessible right by Rotterdam Central Station, making it a quick stop.
🤔 Understand the Art
It's an artistic impression, not a replica. Appreciate its modern design and historical symbolism.
Delftse Poort building in Rotterdam seems pretty transparent today (3024 x 4032)
Delftsche Poort, Rotterdam (The Netherlands) 1764-1940
📸 Great Photo Spot
The sculpture offers unique angles for photography, especially with the station in the background.
🚶♂️ Don't Just Pass By
Take a moment to admire and learn about the history it represents.
Rotterdam - Delftse Poort
Tips
from all over the internet
📍 Location Near Station
Easily accessible right by Rotterdam Central Station, making it a quick stop.
🤔 Understand the Art
It's an artistic impression, not a replica. Appreciate its modern design and historical symbolism.
📸 Great Photo Spot
The sculpture offers unique angles for photography, especially with the station in the background.
🚶♂️ Don't Just Pass By
Take a moment to admire and learn about the history it represents.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Delftse Poort Monument as a magnificent and symbolic landmark in Rotterdam, appreciating its artistic interpretation of the historical city gate and its convenient location near Central Station. Many enjoy the unique photo opportunities and the blend of modern design with historical remembrance. Some note that it's easily overlooked by locals but offers a meaningful experience for those who take the time to appreciate it. +1
"Delftsche Poort: A Gate Between History and Modernity
Rotterdam doesn’t rebuild the past — it reimagines it. A perfect example is the Delftsche Poort, a bold orange steel sculpture designed in 1995 by local artist Cor Kraat. It stands about 150 meters from Central Station, marking the former location of one of the city’s most important historical gates.
Rather than recreating the gate stone by stone, Kraat chose to evoke its shape and scale with modern materials — almost like a ghost of the past, drawn in bold lines. The original Delftsche Poort was destroyed in the 1940 bombing, but its memory lives on through this symbolic reconstruction. Walk through it, and you’re quite literally stepping through layers of history.
Across from the station, you’ll also notice a large office skyscraper — also called Delftsche Poort. The naming isn’t a coincidence: it honours the same historical gate and the route travelers once took from Delft into the city. The skyscraper, completed in 1991, is a sleek example of Rotterdam’s postwar architectural ambition, and now shares its name and location with Kraat’s artistic tribute nearby.
Together, the sculpture and the tower tell a quiet but powerful story: Rotterdam always remembers — not by staying still, but by moving forward creatively."
Tour Guys
"What a magnificent monument in the heart of Rotterdam. This is the artist's creation to reflect the old city gate towards Delft. A lot of people including me (I live nearby) pass by without spending a few minutes to admire and learn the history of this city gate. The sculptures are from the original gate"
Dr Win Sutanto
"Such a nice place, I couldn't take my eyes of it 😍😍😍 10/10, I can imagine it beeing good for climbing ❤️ not crowded - recommend it"
Florin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Delftse Poort Monument is conveniently located right next to Rotterdam Central Station. You can easily walk there from the station platforms or the main entrance.
Yes, Rotterdam Central Station is a major hub for trains, trams, and metro lines, making it very accessible via public transport.
While you can drive to the vicinity of Rotterdam Central Station, parking can be challenging and expensive. Public transport is highly recommended.
Absolutely! It's situated on the corner of Pompenburg and Haagseveer, very close to the main entrance of the Central Station.
Approaching from Rotterdam Central Station provides the most direct and impressive view of the monument and its context.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Delftse Poort Monument is an outdoor public art installation and is free to visit at any time.
As an outdoor monument, it is accessible 24/7. However, it is best viewed during daylight hours for photography.
There is no entrance fee. The monument is a public artwork for everyone to enjoy.
The monument is a sculpture designed to be walked through, not entered like a building. You can pass through its archways.
While there aren't specific tours for the monument itself, it's often included in broader Rotterdam city tours focusing on architecture and history.
📸 📸 Photography
Daylight hours offer clear views, while dusk or dawn can provide dramatic lighting. The orange sculpture contrasts well with a blue sky.
You can capture the monument's scale, its symbolic representation of the old gate, and its juxtaposition with modern Rotterdam architecture.
No, photography is generally permitted for personal use. Be mindful of people around you.
Tripods are usually allowed in public spaces, but it's always good to be considerate of other visitors, especially during busy times.
Experiment with angles from the front, side, and even from within the sculpture to capture its unique form and the surrounding cityscape.
🎫 🏛️ History & Art
The monument by Cor Kraat (1995) is an artistic interpretation of the original Delftse Poort city gate, which stood from 1768 to 1939 and was destroyed in WWII.
The monument was designed by Dutch artist Cor Kraat.
It represents the memory of the historical city gate and Rotterdam's ability to move forward creatively after destruction.
Yes, parts of the old city gate are incorporated into and around the sculpture.
The bold orange color is a modern artistic choice by Cor Kraat, making the sculpture highly visible and distinct.
For Different Travelers
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👨👩👧 Families with Kids
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🏛️ History Buffs
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Art of Remembrance: Cor Kraat's Delftse Poort
Instead of attempting a literal reconstruction, Kraat opted for a bold, abstract interpretation. The striking orange steel structure evokes the shape and scale of the lost gate, serving as a modern-day echo of its past presence. This approach reflects Rotterdam's philosophy of not merely rebuilding the past, but reimagining it, integrating historical memory into its forward-thinking urban landscape.
Visitors can walk through the monument, symbolically traversing the boundary between the past and the present. The inclusion of actual fragments from the original city gate within and around the sculpture adds a tangible connection to history, making it a poignant reminder of what was lost and how the city has evolved.
Delftse Poort: A Tale of Two Structures
Sharing its name is the Delftse Poort skyscraper, a sleek, modern office building completed in 1991. This tower stands as a testament to Rotterdam's post-war architectural ambition and its continuous drive for innovation. Its naming is a direct homage to the historical gate, linking contemporary architecture with the city's enduring heritage.
Together, these two structures, the artistic monument and the imposing skyscraper, create a unique dialogue. They highlight how Rotterdam honors its past not by preserving it in amber, but by allowing its memory to inspire and inform its future, creating a dynamic urban environment where history and modernity coexist.
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