An impressive building has arisen in the Maritime District: the Leuvepavilion. Here you can experience the activity and the work that is being done in the museum harbour. Read more about this Rotterdam hotspot below!
The Maritime Museum is the historic heart of the Maritime District, the area in the middle of the city centre where the port of Rotterdam once began. Because you can literally find high-rise and maritime history side by side here, it is an interesting place.
Many entrepreneurs, organisations, artists, the Port of Rotterdam and the municipality have joined forces to further develop the Maritime District into an attractive maritime place to stay in the city centre in the coming years. A nice place to live, do business and relax.
That is why they work on various projects and events for young and old and they connect the museum building, the quays and the jetties with each other in order to ultimately make it more accessible for visitors. The Leuvepavilion is one of the developments of this collaboration!
Did you know that the Maritime Museum Harbour is the oldest and largest museum harbour in the Netherlands? Employees and volunteers of the Maritime Museum take care of the maintenance of a historic fleet and the cranes on the quay. To do this they always used outdated workplaces, where the maritime work was hidden from view of the visitors.
This has changed with the arrival of the Leuvepavilion last summer. The new workplaces in the pavilion are accessible to visitors. In total there are three workplaces: one for woodworking and two for metalworking, which also houses a forge. This impressive work should be seen!
There is more visibility and transparency, so that the historic harbour and activities in the building can be seen. If you walk by here you will experience the activity and thus the work that is being done in the museum harbour.
Moederscheim Moonen Architects designed the pavilion, which has a modern and sturdy appearance. In a vlog by the Port of Rotterdam, architect Erik Motherscheim talks enthusiastically about the location: “In the Leuvehaven, the water with the old fleet is special to watch. The essence of the design is that we have turned the four separate pavilions into one large pavilion, which also creates more space around the pavilion. This building will become a real hotspot between the Coolsingel and the Erasmus Bridge.”
The Leuvepavilion is a real eyecatcher: a striking building with canopies on both sides and a facade consisting of large windows and black panels. This design is inspired by the lattice structures and cranes from the port and enhances the liveliness of the location.
What can you expect from a visit to the workshops? During your visit you will be immersed in a world of maritime crafts and shipbuilding, designed by design agency Kinkorn.
In addition to various educational videos, which, among other things, show what is involved in building a ship, there are "live" welders, blacksmiths and carpenters from the Maritime Museum at work. A blacksmith gives demonstrations to visitors or students in school, who sit on a gallery opposite his forge. In this way they feel, see and smell the maritime world up close.
For safety, there are gates separating the workbenches and public space. But the fences are also the starting point for an instructive journey of discovery along tools and techniques that give an idea of working on maritime resources. For example, various drills and saws are attached to the fences, which can be touched or sometimes even tried out.
Feel how wood species differ from each other, learn how a mast works or drill with an authentic hand drill. An interactive and playful way to learn what it takes to build a ship!
The Port Pavilion of the Port of Rotterdam is also located in the Leuvepavilion. Here you will receive inspiring tips and you can discover more in the port during a trip.
Or maybe you fancy an ice cream or coffee? Then visit IJssalon Loeve for something delicious!
In short, plenty to discover in the Leuvepavilion. When will you visit?
Are you going for a fun day out with the kids in Rotterdam? Read our article for other great tips!
