Noordereiland in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
De Willemsbrug
⎯⎯⎯
“Willems Bridge”
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
1. De Willemsbrug / Willems Bridge Marker
Vanaf 1878 lag op deze plaats de Willemsbrug, ontworpen door C.B. van der Tak. De totale overspanning bestond uit drie vakwerkdelen met op elke oever een aanbrug. De vakwerkdelen waren opgebouwd uit geklonken ijzeren I-profielen. Uit de vier op dit landhoofd geplaatste delen is dit goed af te leiden. De tekening in de vloer van deze vlonder verbeeldt de constructie van de brugdelen.
Vanaf 10 mei 1940 is er door de Mariniers, aan de Noordzijde, zwaar gevochten om de Duitse opmars in ons land tot staan te brengen. Het bombardement op 14 mei leidde tot de overgave van Rotterdam.
Op 1 juli 1981 is de Willemsbrug door burgemeester André van der Louw gesloten voor alle verkeer en kon de voorbereiding van de ontmanteling worden gestart. Drijvende kranen van Fa. van der Tak tilden in december 1981 de laatste overspanning van zijn pijlers om deze af te voeren naar de sloop.
From 1878, the Willemsbrug — designed by C.B. van der Tak — stood at this location. The total span consisted of three truss sections, with an approach span on each bank. The truss sections were constructed from riveted iron I-beams; this is clearly evident from the four sections placed on this abutment. The design in the decking here illustrates the structure of the bridge sections.
Starting on May 10, 1940, Dutch Marines fought fiercely on the north side to halt the German advance into the country. The bombing raid on May 14 led to the surrender of Rotterdam.
On July 1, 1981, Mayor André van der Louw closed the Willemsbrug to all traffic, allowing preparations for its dismantling to begin. In December 1981, floating cranes operated by the Van der Tak company lifted the final span off its piers to transport it for scrapping.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 51° 54.884′ N, 4° 29.694′ E. Marker is in Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is in Noordereiland. It is on Maaskade, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Maaskade 74, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3071 NJ, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: May 1940 War Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Loods 24 / Warehouse 24 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); a different marker also named Loods 24 / Warehouse 24 (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Nationaal Monument Voor De Koopvardij / National Merchant Marine Memorial (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Waalse kerk / Eglise Wallonne / Walloon Church
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
2. De Willemsbrug / “Willems Bridge” Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here mounted to the abutment on the left
circa 1910
3. The Willemsbrug (with the railway bridge on the right)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
