De Reus van Rotterdam

The bronze statue of De Reus, found in Wijkpark Rotterdam, represents Rigardus Rijnhout, a citizen of Rotterdam (1922-1959) who lived on a street close to this park.

Rigardus weighed 8 kilograms at birth and, when he grew up, he stood at a towering height of 2.37 meters and weighed 230 kilograms. He was the tallest citizen of Rotterdam and the second tallest Dutch person in history. People called him The Giant of Rotterdam.

Wherever he went, people laughed at him and saw him as an oddity.

He made a living as a walking advertisement, displaying ads on his body in the city center of Rotterdam. Unfortunately, a bicycle accident left him disabled, unable to work anymore. He sold his pictures at the Spido water taxi docks.

He passed away at the age of 36 due to a brain tumor.

Despite the ridicule and strange gazes, The Giant always maintained a kind-hearted nature.

The statue and the shoes behind it were crafted in their actual size and were erected in 2011.

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