The history in my daily commute

I've been very remiss this last week as I didn't write a blog post at all. This is rare for me because I value my blog and my interaction with others in blogosphere. The only reason is because I've been very busy with work and it's taken up all my available time. Even now, I know I'll have to keep this brief because I have plenty to do for the coming week, but there was one subject I wanted to share with you, and that is the remarkable piece of history I pass almost every day on my way to work.

My view of the last section of Rotterdam's
 original city wall

Rotterdam is an exciting modern city; its architecture is famed the world over for being innovative and daring. However, the city itself is actually very old and was founded in 1270 when a dam was built across the River Rotte. It gained city rights in 1340 and has since grown to become the Netherlands' second largest city. To quote Wikipedia, "Rotterdam is known for its Erasmus University, its riverside setting, lively cultural life, maritime heritage and modern architecture."

But what does this have to do with me and my daily commute to work? Well, what a lot of people don't know is that this modern city used to have impressive walls encircling it. By the 20th century, these had long gone, sacrificed to the expansion of the urban area. However, when the metro line was being built in the late 80s, what is thought to be the last remaining piece of the old wall was uncovered, and in honour of its evidence of Rotterdam's long and noble past, it's been preserved. These days it sits in its original position, but suspended above the tracks of the adjoining mainline railway which follows a tunnel under the river. Since I pass it virtually daily on my way to the metro or the station below, I've become used to seeing it there, but I still appreciate its significance to my home city.

As a result, I was tickled pink to be sent an article about our piece of wall by my American Twitter friend, Lisette Brodey, all the way from California. I think it's great that it's being highlighted as a tourist attraction. Most people come to our harbour to see the cubist buildings and the nearby Markthal, but I've never seen our wall presented as a sight to visit. Personally, I love the fact I see a piece of the city's ancient history so regularly, and I find it fitting that I also live on and in a genuine Dutch monument.

Have a good week iedereen! I hope I'll have a bit more time to devote to my blogging friends again soon. 

Here's the link to the article