🌿 Noordereiland

You don’t have to go to Zeeland or the north to find islands — there is one in Rotterdam! Noordereiland is floating between the north and south of Rotterdam and is connected by De Willemsbrug and Koninginnebrug.

While the island is officially part of the city’s south side and neighbourhood Feijenoord, people keep debating whether it is the “real” south. Noordereiland, therefore, remains stuck in the middle.

The island played a very important role at the beginning of World War II. When the German army caught the Dutch by surprise at the old Willemsbrug on May 10, 1940, the Dutch marines and army fought straight at the south side of the bridge for four days.

Even though the Dutch army was weak, surprised, and not modernised yet, the Dutch were able to keep the German forces from taking the bridges. Of course, this changed after the city bombardment on May 14, 1940.

Next to the island’s rich history, it has great views and locations to take pictures. On the north side, you will have a great skyline view in front of the historical houses. On the west side, you’ll find a unique angle of the Maastoren and Erasmusbrug.

Did you know they have their own flag? The Rotterdam flag is horizontal green white stripes with a heart added in the middle. So, bring your camera or a book and put on “Stuck in the middle” by Jimmy Eat World or “Stuck in the middle with you” by Stealers Wheelers (pun intended).

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