Regentessebrug

The Regentessebrug, built in 1898, crosses the Wijnhaven quay in Rotterdam. It was designed by the city’s architect D.B. Logemann and is a fixed bridge that replaced an old wooden drawbridge.

Before the new bridge was built, the city’s inner harbors were busy with ships moving goods, and the area was full of people working in the buildings and along the piers. Local businesses, however, didn’t like the idea of a fixed bridge. They thought the city cared more about cars and trucks than about the boats that were so important for trade. This caused a lot of debate.

In 1898, after a close vote, the city council decided to go ahead with the plan to build a permanent bridge over Wijnhaven.

The design of the Regentessebrug was inspired by famous 19th-century bridges in Paris, like the Alexandre III Bridge, which was very popular at the time. Rotterdam didn’t have anything like that, so the city wanted to create something special.

The bridge is made from strong materials like granite and cast iron. The part under the water is made of sandstone and basalt, which helps keep the bridge sturdy. The total length of the bridge is 34.2 meters, and it stands out because of its beautiful design.

On the bridge’s pillars, you’ll find four large lanterns in the middle and four carved lions guarding the corners. The pillars are designed to look like ship bows, with three fish sculptures on each side. The four lanterns are made of copper and are richly decorated.

Lamp post at the bridge — One of the lanterns adorning the Regentessebrug

Each of the lions is 1.9 meters tall and weighs 250 kilograms. These lions were created by the artist Simon Miedema. Originally, only the four lions were part of the design, but the city couldn’t afford all the other decorations. So, a local newspaper asked people for donations to help add the lanterns and other details. The people of Rotterdam raised enough money to complete the bridge as we see it today.

The Regentessebrug was officially opened in 1899 by Queen Regent Emma and her daughter Queen Wilhelmina, and it was named after Queen Emma. The lions on the bridge are a tribute to her family. The lions carry the coats of arms of the Netherlands and Waldeck-Pyrmont—the royal family’s heritage. There’s also a gilded bronze letter “E” on the bridge, which stands for Emma and can be found on both sides of the central arch.

The Regentessebrug is also known as the Vierleeuwenbrug, or Four Lions Bridge, because of the four lions at the corners.

This bridge is one of the few structures that survived the bombing of Rotterdam in 1940. The entire area around it was destroyed during the war, but the bridge stood strong.

In 1973, the Regentessebrug was declared a National Monument, and it continues to be a beautiful reminder of Rotterdam’s history.

Discover other bridges in Rotterdam