The Erasmusbrug, or in English “Erasmus Bridge” is a cable stayed bridge across the Nieuwe Maas river, or in English “New Meuse” river linking the northern and southern halves of Rotterdam city, Netherlands. It was designed by Ben van Berkel, completed and officially opened by Queen Beatrix on September 6, 1996 with a total length of 0.5 miles and height of 456 feet the Erasmusbrug has earned the nickname De Zwaan or in English “The Swan”.

At night the Erasmusbrug shines in its glory, with each individual light pointed at the top it’s magically visible from both sides of the far stretched banks of the Nieuwe Maas river, with as special places the Golden Tulip Cafe & Hotel and Cafe Rotterdam. Around the area of the Erasmusbrug, which is situated at the Kop van Zuid there’s several popular sightseeing destination including the Speedo, Rotterdam Port Experience, Nieuwe Luxor Theater, Euromast, Strand aan de maas and the Tropicana. Further more several mainstream buildings are located near the bridge like the Rotterdam court house and the KPN office.

Twenty four hours a day buzzing traffic goes over the bridge, including cars, trams, bicycles and anything that moves yet no ones stops for a moment to enjoy its views. The bridge has been integrated in the Rotterdam city life that locals barely recognize it’s beauty anymore. Yet, in my experience simply walking the bridge at night, viewing the lights as far the eye can reach on the river banks, in combination with the thrills of trams and car traffic passing by, the wind in your hair and the smell of the Nieuwe Maas water in combination with marvelous views make it a unique and relaxing experience.

That the bridge is internationally recognized can be simply proofed by it’s presence of international films such as the Jackie Chan film Who Am I? and the repeated shows of Red Bull Air Race and Bavaria City Racing.

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