City Hall, Rotterdam

Constructed from 1914 to 1920 under the guidance of architect Henri Evers, Rotterdam City Hall stands as a resilient relic amid the heart of Rotterdam, having withstood the destructive assault of the May 14, 1940 bombing. A testament to its historical significance, it was officially designated a National Monument on October 10, 2000.

The initial city hall of Rotterdam was located on Hoogstraat, nestled within a timeworn 14th-century urban boarding house. However, as the 19th century drew to a close, the building could no longer adequately serve the needs of municipal endeavors. Thus, a decision was reached in 1905 to erect a new structure, dedicated to housing the council chamber, along Coolsingel. To make way for this ambitious construction project, the entire Zandstraat neighborhood, home to approximately 2,400 residents, was razed.

Henri Evers created initial plans in 1911. The final design was presented to the city council and approved in 1913. Construction began in 1914, with the foundation stone laid on July 15, 1915, in the presence of Queen Wilhelmina. The official inauguration took place after completion, during a city council assembly on September 1, 1920. Despite surviving a 1940 bombing, the building's concrete structure suffered damage from the generated heat.

Embracing a rich amalgamation of styles including Beaux-Arts, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Art Deco, the edifice sprawls across a 86 by 106 meter expanse (9,116 square meters). Its composition primarily features concrete cloaked in porous sandstone and durable stone. Dominating the principal facade on Coolsingel, the clock tower ascends from the building's central hall, reaching a height of 71 meters. At its pinnacle rests a gilded statue portraying an angel, an artistic creation by sculptor Johan Keller.