Erasmusbrug

The Erasmus Bridge, also known as the Erasmusbrug, in Rotterdam has been the city’s new landmark since it was opened in 1996.

Erasmusbug is a long suspension bridge spanning 800 meters, with a tall steel pylon reaching a height of 139 meters. The design is the creation of architect Ben Berkel from UN Studio.

This bridge connects the center of Rotterdam with the Kop van Zuid neighborhood.

The Erasmus Bridge is among the top 10 examples of modern architecture in Rotterdam.

Architecture of the Erasmusbrug

The Erasmus Bridge is a beautiful combination of art and technology. The bridge’s distinctive feature is the gracefully curved steel pylon, rising 139 meters in height, extending on both sides of the road.

Two sets of sixteen cables stretch from the pylon to the bridge deck, while two strong cables anchor the pylon at the rear.

The design of the Erasmus Bridge can be considered a prime example of the supermodernism architectural style.

History of the Erasmus Bridge

Due to the westward movement of the Rotterdam port towards the North Sea, the Kop van Zuid neighborhood was left empty. In 1987, Riek Bakker from Urban Development Rotterdam and architect Teun Koolhaas presented a plan for expanding the city center into the Kop van Zuid area.

An impressive part of this plan was a new bridge connecting the existing center with the Kop van Zuid.

On December 5, 1989, Gemeentewerken Rotterdam presented the final schedule of requirements.

Architect Maarten Struijs from Gemeentewerken designed a bridge with four pylons, two tall and two short, with an estimated cost of 147 million euros.

At the suggestion of A. Krijgsman, an external expert in municipal works, architect Ben van Berkel presented a new idea in September 1990: a cable-stayed bridge with a tilted and curved reinforced concrete pylon.

The cost of the new bridge was estimated at 165 million euros, 18 million euros more than Maarten Struijs’s design. In the fall of 1991, a fierce battle for the bridges unfolded in Rotterdam.

During the city council meeting on November 14, 1991, the council chose, with a wide majority, the bridge with more charisma. In mid-February 1992, the bridge was officially named the Erasmus Bridge.

Inauguration of the Erasmusbrug

The pylon was assembled in Vlissingen and transported by ship to Rozenburg, where one of the world’s largest crane vessels placed it on its foundation.

Under the watchful eyes of ten thousand spectators and accompanied by numerous boats, the pylon of the Erasmus Bridge reached its destination on April 13, 1995.

Subsequently, the bridge was assembled, and on June 24, 1996, the Erasmus Bridge opened to the public.

On September 4, 1996, the official inauguration took place, presided over by Queen Beatrix.

Erasmusbrug in Numbers

Total length of the bridge is 802 meters.

The cable-stayed bridge measures 410 meters in length.

It’s bascule bridge section spans 89 meters.

Maximum height of the bascule bridge is 63 meters.

The deck height is 17 meters.

The total weight of the cable-stayed bridge is 6,800 tons.

Weight of the pylon alone is 1,800 tons.

The Erasmus Bridge, affectionately called De Zwaan (the swan), has become the symbol of the city of Rotterdam.

Discover other bridges in Rotterdam