Koningshavenbrug
Rotterdam, South Holland
In Rotterdam, it’s impossible to miss De Hef (officially Koningshaven Bridge), a one-of-a-kind railway bridge. Once used to connect Breda to Rotterdam by train, this lift bridge still impresses today, even though it has been out of service since 1993.
A bridge that literally lifted
Built to allow ships to pass through the Koningshaven, its central section could be raised entirely – a spectacle in itself. Today, trains run through the Willemsspoortunnel, but De Hef still stands proudly between Noordereiland and Feijenoord.
A monument steeped in history
Designated a national monument since 2000, it was renovated in 2017. The city council even pledged never to dismantle it… until an unexpected guest arrived: Jeff Bezos’ superyacht, which was supposed to pass through on its way to the sea. The result: public outrage, heated debate… and the project was abandoned.
Galerie photos
Tulumnes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
