old Rotterdam

 

The Dutch city of Rotterdam doesn't look much like this anymore.  The two aerial photos were taken in 1923 and make it easier to identify the locations in the old colour photos, as it is very difficult from any modern reference.  For example the Coolvest water where the windmill is was filled in and is now called Coolsingel, and of course the windmill has long been history.

After Hitler's aerial destruction of 14 May 1940 it seems the authorities decided to rebuild much of what is in the inner city completely.  The railway lines in De Kolk and De Beurs views have been put underground, but there are tram lines on Coolsingel for example.  The large church, Laurenskerk, still exists, one of the few reference points between old and new.