Calandmonument, Public monument near Veerhaven, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The Calandmonument is a stone obelisk standing about 10 meters tall near the Veerhaven in Rotterdam. It features a winged female figure with Mercury's staff at its peak, while bronze lion heads spout water into multiple basins and detailed inscriptions cover all four sides.
Engineer Pieter Caland received this tribute in 1907 for his work on the Nieuwe Waterweg, which connected Rotterdam directly to the North Sea in the 1800s. This artificial waterway was a major engineering achievement that secured the city's status as a trading port.
The monument displays bronze sculptures of two children representing trade and manufacturing, reflecting Rotterdam's role as a major port city. These figures show how commerce shaped the city's growth.
The monument stands at Veerkade by the Veerhaven and functions as a fountain with multiple water basins. The detailed inscriptions on all sides help visitors understand the site's history and the engineer's significance.
The monument was relocated from Coolsingel to Veerkade in 1939, which later proved fortunate. This move inadvertently protected it from destruction during Rotterdam's bombing in 1940.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
