Rotterdam Town Hall

The Rotterdam Town Hall was built between 1914 and 1920 according to a Renaissance design by Evers. The building was badly damaged during World War II, but the post office and St. Lawrence's Church survived the bombing.
The walls of the town hall are concrete and faced with sandstone. The sandstone has turned black over the years, but recently, with the help of a special technique, it was returned to its snow-white appearance. The height of the town hall tower is 71 meters; its top is decorated with a golden sculpture. The previous bells from the town hall were knocked down by the occupying forces during the Second World War. But today a new carillon has been created with 48 bells. The town hall stands out for its decor and a huge number of statues on both sides of the pediment on the facade. The stepped pediment above the entrance is decorated with the patroness of Rotterdam and the city's coat of arms. Some sculptures symbolize the four virtues of the Dutch: Entrepreneurial Spirit, Caution, Reliability and Perseverance, as well as Law and Justice. There are similar sculptures in the interiors of the town hall. On the second floor of the town hall, there is the Civic Hall, with a large balcony. This is the hall for receptions and other events, and wedding ceremonies are also held here. The hall is decorated with a 1920 organ and wall paintings.
On the facade of the City Hall, you can see a statue of Johann van Oldenbarnevelt, a famous Dutch statesman and diplomat who played a prominent role during the bourgeois revolution. And if you happen to be here on Christmas break, you will see the largest Christmas tree in Rotterdam in front of the building.