The Destroyed City, War memorial at Plein 1940, Rotterdam, Netherlands
The bronze figure reaches six meters in height, depicting a human form with a missing heart, arms raised skyward in an expression of anguish.
The sculpture commemorates the German bombing of Rotterdam on May 14, 1940, which destroyed the medieval center and killed 900 people.
Russian-French sculptor Ossip Zadkine created this monument in 1953, drawing inspiration from his observations of Rotterdam's post-war devastation.
The memorial stands on a granite pedestal near the Maritime Museum Rotterdam and remains accessible through public transportation from Rotterdam Central Station.
The granite blocks supporting the statue were originally intended for a sculpture of Adolf Hitler in Berlin but were repurposed for this memorial.
Location: Rotterdam
Inception: 1953
Creator: Ossip Zadkine
Official opening: May 15, 1953
Architectural style: reconstruction-period architecture
Height: 600 cm
Made from material: bronze, Yellow copper
Part of: Top 100 of Dutch monuments 1940-1958, Sleutelwerken
GPS coordinates: 51.91764,4.48307
Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:40
Schielandshuis
167 m
Maritime Museum Rotterdam
81 m
Erasmushuis
207 m
Regentessebrug
165 m
De Coopvaert
41 m
Schielandtoren
196 m
Low Light of the Hook of Holland
104 m
Five55
116 m
Lutherse kerk
108 m
Bierhaven
186 m
Kleine Wijnbrug
106 m
Kids Marina Rotterdam
41 m
Kraneschipbrug
95 m
Pim Fortuyn
146 m
William IV of Holland
150 m
Soetenbrug
171 m
Woonflat Schiedamse Vest
196 m
Maritiem Museum Rotterdam
82 m
Cascade
154 m
Triomf
148 m
Apostel Paulus
222 m
Twentsch Ros
218 m
Langs de Maas, ode aan Jaap Valkhoff
171 m
Houtbrug
131 m
Keizersbrug
131 m
Blaak 34, Rotterdam
159 m
Blaak 40
87 m
Evenwichtje
225 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes