Erasmus Bridge (De Erasmus)

The Erasmus Bridge is the best-known bridge in Rotterdam and one of the symbols of the modern city. It spans the Nieuwe Maas, the wide river that runs through the centre and connects the northern part of the city with the Kop van Zuid district on the south bank. It was designed by the architect Ben van Berkel of UNStudio and opened in 1996, and its white steel pylon and fan of cables make it instantly recognisable. Locals call it the Swan, De Zwaan, because the pylon, bent at an angle, resembles the neck of a bird.

The bridge is a cable-stayed bridge, in which the deck is supported by cables fixed to a tall pylon. Here, the single pylon rises to about a hundred and thirty-nine metres and leans to one side, which makes the structure asymmetrical, with a long main span and a shorter back span. The deck carries traffic, trams, cyclists and pedestrians, and it is around eight hundred metres long. At the northern end, a section of the deck is a bascule, a drawbridge that lifts to allow tall ships to pass, which is one of the largest of its type in Europe.

The name honours Desiderius Erasmus, the Renaissance humanist and scholar who was born in Rotterdam in the fifteenth century and became one of the most influential thinkers in Europe. A statue of him stands near the church of Sint-Laurens, and the bridge links the city's present with its intellectual heritage. The bridge also marks the regeneration of the south bank, an area of old docks and warehouses that has been transformed into a district of offices, homes and cultural venues, including the former Holland America Line headquarters, which is now a hotel.

Walking across the bridge gives wide views of the river with its ships and tugboats, the skyline of high-rise buildings and the harbour. The footpath is free and open at all times, and the experience is especially atmospheric at dusk when the lights come on. It is also used for events, most notably the Rotterdam Marathon, in which thousands of runners cross twice. Photographers favour the view from the Wilhelminapier on the south bank and from the northern bank near the Maritime Museum.

The bridge suits everyone, from architecture fans to casual walkers. The wind can be strong, so dress warmly, and be careful with children and cyclists. Combine it with a stroll along the waterfront and a visit to the Markthal or the Cube Houses.