The Story Behind Rotterdam's 'Destroyed City' Sculpture

An imposing bronze statue depicting a flailing human figure with a large void in his or her chest has stood in the centre of Rotterdam since 1953. Known as The Destroyed City (or De Verwoeste Stad in Dutch), this arresting artwork was created to commemorate the destruction that befell Rotterdam during World War II.

On May 10, 1940, the German military, led by the Nazi party and Hitler, invaded the Netherlands in an attempt to occupy the country. After encountering significant resistance on the ground, the German leadership threatened to employ aerial bombings to crush the Dutch opposition and destroy key strategic locations, such as Rotterdam – the largest in Europe. Three days after the initial invasion, the German air force bombed Rotterdam, effectively destroying the city’s Medieval centre and killing around 900 civilians. The attack and the fires that followed levelled approximately 2.6 km2 of Rotterdam’s centre, destroying property, stores and landmarks while leaving many of the city’s surviving residents homeless.

After devastating Rotterdam, the German military offered the Dutch government an ultimatum, either surrender or suffer another aerial bombing (in this case, against the city of Utrecht). As the Dutch military wasn’t able to effectually defend against air attacks of this scale, they were forced to lay down arms to prevent more destruction. German forces then occupied the Netherlands and installed a Nazi regime, which remained in power until the Allies liberated the country between 1944 to 1945.

Verwoeste Stad sculpture by Ossip Zadkine, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Russian-born artist Ossip Zadkine passed through Rotterdam sometime after the war and was stunned by the damage caused by the German airforce. Afterwards, Zadkine created a statue to represent the physical and psychological trauma he encountered in the city, which was then installed in Rotterdam on Plein 1940 plaza in 1953. This 6.5-metre high sculpture looks as though it is running in terror or screaming towards the heavens in anguish and has a large hole in its chests that symbolises the destruction of Rotterdam’s historic city centre.

The sculpture serves as a mute testament to the horrors of World War II and, specifically, the trauma endured by Rotterdam’s residents during this harrowing period.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.