City Hall Rotterdam

Rotterdam City Hall, or Stadhuis, stands on Coolsingel in the city centre. Built between 1914 and 1920, it is one of the few buildings in central Rotterdam to survive the 1940 bombing. Walk around the symmetrical façade to spot its sculptures, medallions and clock tower, then look for the inner courtyard garden. The building’s stonework and decorative details make it worth a stop even if you only view it from outside. If you hope to see the interior, ask a guard whether entry and photography are permitted.

A city hall that survived the bombing

Rotterdam City Hall was built between 1914 and 1920 on Coolsingel. It is among the few buildings in the city centre to have survived the bombing of 1940. The building was damaged and later restored. Its survival gives the site a direct connection to the destruction and rebuilding of Rotterdam.

The design is symmetrical, with a sober Renaissance style and details associated with Beaux-Arts, Byzantine, Romanesque and Art Deco architecture. Sculptures and other ornament cover parts of the exterior. Walk around the building to see its decorative details from different sides, including the medallions and the statue of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt.

The courtyard and interior

An inner garden sits at the centre of the square building. It can be reached by a street that passes through the town hall, and provides a quieter place to pause amid the city centre. The garden has a fountain, statues, roses and hydrangeas. An early-evening visit is a good choice if you want to see it illuminated.

Inside, the building has murals, statuary, historic woodwork, marble details and grand meeting rooms. Some murals were left unfinished during the inter-war years. Access to interior spaces is not guaranteed, so ask a guard before entering or taking photographs. The building remains the seat of Rotterdam’s municipal government.