Schoonoord Garden in Rotterdam: a hidden gem in the middle of the city
February 11, 2024
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Historic Delfshaven, do you already know this place? It is a picturesque neighborhood in Rotterdam with an impressive history. Historical Delfshaven is known for its historical sights, charming canals and tasty restaurants and cafes. Despite being only a small neighborhood, it is well worth a visit. In Historic Delfshaven you can still taste everywhere the atmosphere and rich culture of pre-war Rotterdam. Make the most of your visit to Delfshaven Rotterdam with our tips!
The history of Historic Delfshaven in Rotterdam
We go back a bit in time to dive into the history of Delfshaven. The beautiful, old part of Delfshaven as we know it today was in fact created in 1389. From Delft, the river the Delfshavense Schie was dug which was to run to the Maas in Rotterdam. This so that ships could travel as far as Delft. Around the lock in Delfshaven a small village arose which was under the municipality of Delft until 1795.
Over the years, Delfshaven has grown into a beautiful place in Rotterdam. Herring fishing, whaling and later the gin industry have shaped Delfshaven into a prosperous city. Since 1886, Delfshaven Municipality officially belongs to Rotterdam.
The bombing of Rotterdam during World War II is like a black page in a diary. A time in which far too much of Rotterdam was destroyed, but in which we are lucky that Delfshaven was not hit. Historic Delfshaven has therefore been declared a protected cityscape in Rotterdam since 1960.
1. Stroll through Historic Delfshaven
The best way to discover the historic heart of Delfshaven is to walk through it. This way you can enjoy the beautiful sights in Historic Delfshaven at your own pace. Behold the beautiful buildings, the picturesque little harbor and have a nice drink or snack at one of the many cozy cafes.
2. Visit the Pilgrim Fathers Church
The Pilgrim Fathers Church is one of the most beautiful sights in Historic Delfshaven. This beautiful church was built in 1417, making it one of the oldest buildings in the Historic Delfshaven district. The old church with its wooden bell tower is internationally known for the Pilgrim Fathers. These English Puritans were seeking religious freedom. The Pilgrim Fathers left Delfshaven for America in 1620 and spent their time in this church before their departure.
3. Take a look at the statue of Piet Hein
The statue of Piet Hein is a notable landmark in Historic Delfshaven. Born in 1577 in Delfshaven, Piet Hein became famous for his capture of the Spanish Silver Fleet in 1628. Although the statue can be a cultural heritage and an interesting sight for history buffs and tourists, it is controversial today because of Piet Hein's involvement in the slave trade.
4. Admire the mill of Delfshaven
When walking through historic Delfshaven, you can't miss the mill. The Malt Mill, also known as the Distillery, is the only remaining mill in Delfshaven. In fact, five malt mills could previously be found in Delfshaven. After a devastating fire in 1940 and 44 years of waiting for the mill to be rebuilt, today we can visit this mill.
Tip: Take a tour of about 20 minutes to see the mill in operation.
5. Have a beer at City Brewery the Pilgrim
Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim is a Rotterdam household name. The brewery is located in a beautiful building along the canal of the picturesque harbor and next to the impressive Pilgrim Fathers Church. Over the years, the building has had multiple functions. For example, it has housed a town hall, scout club and a police station. Since May 9, 1996, this 1580 building has been used as the beer brewery for Rotterdam. The self-brewed Pelgrim beer can be drunk from the barrel and from the bottle, but you can also enjoy it at various catering establishments in Rotterdam.
Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim is one of the nicest hotspots in Historic Delfshaven, especially because of its fine courtyard garden. We love sitting here in the summer with a nice beer. They also offer tasty appetizers. They also organize tours and tastings at Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim.
6. Play a game of Rotterdam street golf
Want to make a visit to the historic heart of Delfshaven unique? Then a pot Rotterdam street golf an incredibly fun activity. Proeflokaal De Ooievaar has mapped out an original route with 9 holes, from easy to difficult. An incredibly fun outing with friends, family and colleagues!
7. Admire Historic Delfshaven from the water
A unique way to discover Historic Delfshaven is from the water. At iCaptain for example, you can rent a sloop, pedal boat or SUP (stand-up paddleboard) and take to the water yourself. With a sloop or pedal boat, you can cruise along the canals and canals at your own pace and enjoy the view of the historic buildings and bridges. Want a little more adventure? Then opt for a SUP! It's a fun and active way to explore Historic Delfshaven.
8. Stay overnight in Historic Delfshaven
Want to stay near Historic Delfshaven? Then there are several options. Unfortunately, there are few to no options to stay in the city center of Historic Delfshaven, but there are several nice hotels within walking distance. For a unique stay, we recommend the Euromast to, but you can find accommodations in Delfshaven in different price ranges.
Discover Rotterdam: many more tips for visiting the bustling port city
On our travel blog, we already share our tips for Rotterdam with you. Rotterdam is our home base and is where we spend our time when we are not traveling around the world. Therefore, we are always on the lookout for the best spots in Rotterdam. Check out all our articles with the best tips, sights and hotspots in Rotterdam.
Travander
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