Markthal

The Markthal is a covered market hall in the centre of Rotterdam, and it has become one of the city's most photographed buildings since it opened in October 2014. Designed by the architectural firm MVRDV, it takes the form of a huge horseshoe-shaped arch, with apartments in the walls of the arch and a market space beneath. It was opened by Queen Beatrix and quickly became a symbol of the new Rotterdam, a city that rebuilt itself after the bombing of 1940 and has embraced bold modern architecture.

The design combines housing and market in a single structure. The arch contains around two hundred and twenty apartments, whose windows look into the hall through glass panels, so residents can look down on the stalls from their homes, and the other side of the building faces the street. The ends of the arch are closed with large glass walls held in a net of cables, which allow daylight in while keeping the weather out. The scale is impressive, and the effect on entering is that of a cathedral dedicated to food.

The ceiling is the most striking feature. A huge digital artwork called the Horn of Plenty, by the artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam, covers the whole inner surface of the arch with enormous images of fruit, flowers, insects and fish. It is one of the largest artworks in the Netherlands, and looking up at it from the floor is a memorable experience. The colours are intense, and the pictures are designed to be seen from far away, so they dominate the space.

Below, the hall holds around a hundred stalls and shops selling fresh produce, fish, cheese, meat, bread, spices and specialities from different countries, along with restaurants, cafes and a supermarket. Visitors can sample everything from Dutch herring to Turkish pastries and Surinamese snacks, and it is a good place to eat lunch while looking at the building. Outside, the open-air market, held on certain days, continues the tradition of the old market on the Binnenrotte.

Nearby attractions include the Cube Houses, Rotterdam Central Station, the Sint-Laurenskerk and the Kunsthal. The Markthal suits food lovers, architecture fans and families. It is busiest at lunchtime and on weekends, so visit mid-morning for a calmer experience, and check opening times for individual stalls.