Rotterdam Central Station — Attraction in Rotterdam

Space 101 •••••••••••• Chinese New Year was in Wednesday 29 January 2025. There is a new store open till Sunday 2 feb 2025. So 2 days then it ends here. Its open from 10.00 till 15.00 o'clock.

The store Space 101 has several has tables representing the artists such as knotted bracelets, printed clothing items and handmade bags, several stationary illustration artists, an asian bookstore and more ...

Free advertisements (pamflets/folders) you are allowed to take from the table of : Vietnamese jewelry workshop (making charms bracelets), Asian theater shows, anti racism against Asian, a book release and several more.

Free stickers available too ; amongst is Asian Raisins.

The most fun are the handmade items for sale by several artists. I call them artists, but its more like a specialists. One sweet lady sows fabrics, its different items each time. Another young lady writes your name fonetically into Chinese or she can write you one Chinese character in calligraphy.

I saw beautiful handmade bags, printed items, a new game, stickers and postcard for sale. 😉 It was hard to choose from. Just take your time 🤣, the store closes at 15 o'clock.

In an another corner a table filled with items from Krokantman, graphic illustrationist, made several prints, posters, stickers, postcards, zines and more for sale.

Next another table has anti racism items. To highlight there is a social problem where people look away mostly, needs to converse about to create understanding and awareness.

Next a wired rack with fuzzy cutted handmade paper characters. Its Chinese Art. Several handmade bags for sale too. Remember for sale, not on sale. There is a difference 😉.

And my favorite corner across from Krokantman is lilalicreates. She has several stickers ✓ galaxy jar cats - astrology themed ✓ year of the Snake collection Also in postcards There is a clear transparant lucky bag sticker you can attach to any window as decorations to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Next table decorated with several threaded knot bracelets. Its also a famous Chinese Art. Some knots has meaning and several knots has names.

Next is not a table but two bookshelfs with Asian books. The books are presented to look in and you can buy one or several books. I saw a mixture of books : a cookbook, childrens books, a historical book and many more They come from a Bookstore in Rotterdam. Long business card is included on the shelves to take with you if you are interested in other themes.

Payments for items is only by contactless payment. You can pay with paper money and coins : Pay Appropriately (Gepast betalen). Why ?!? She has no cash register. It better to pay by Debetcard or Creditcard. Then she asks if you want physical paper receipt of receipt by email (digital).

I enjoyed myself and learned from some people working there. They are friendly, really nice and patient. You can ask her/them questions. 😃 I have a Scoop, no one knows about it. 🤫🤫🤫 One week after 2 February 2025 same temporary store Space 101 opens a pop-up location for several months a few streets further on West Kruiskade 30 B, Rotterdam. Its smack beginning of Chinatown Centre. The former store was Cong's Palace, this store stood empty 5-8 years. This week the contractor and house builders need to renovate this store especially for Space 101. I do not know if they carry on the same name Space 101.

So back to Space 101, location inside Central Station Rotterdam ; From outside you can window shop. The shop windows are fully decorated. When you enter Central Station Rotterdam you walk left through the check in portals, still walk left side you pass the store Hema. Space 101 is right next Hema. Hard to miss Space 101, because of the red dragon on the glass window 😀.

Anyone interested, just...

Before World War II, Rotterdam did not have a central railway station - instead there were four stations in and around the city centre:

Rotterdam Delftsche Poort: for westbound trains towards Schiedam, Den Haag HS and Amsterdam CS and eastbound trains towards Dordrecht Rotterdam Beurs: towards Dordrecht, connected to Delftsche Poort Rotterdam Maas: terminus for eastbound trains to Gouda and Utrecht Rotterdam Hofplein: terminus for the Hofpleinlijn, an alternative line to Den Haag HS, also going to Scheveningen. Delftse Poort station was badly damaged by bombing in the Rotterdam Blitz. The new Centraal station was rebuilt just westwards of the site. Its original building was designed by architect Sybold van Ravesteyn and was completed on 13 March 1957, officially opening on 21 May. Maas station had closed in 1953 and trains from Utrecht were diverted to Centraal station via the new Rotterdam Noord station. However, the Hofpleinlijn (which later became part of RandstadRail) continued to bypass the station. Hofplein station was eventually closed in 2010 after the Hofpleinlijn was redirected through a tunnel and connected to Centraal station for the first time.

On 9 February 1968 Princess Beatrix opened the first metro line in the Netherlands at Centraal station. The line connected the station to the south of Rotterdam and is now known as Line D. The first subway station had an island platform with two tracks. On 28 September 2009, a new and more spacious underground station opened right next to the old one, which was immediately demolished. The new station has two island platforms with three tracks.

The mainline station nowadays has seven island platforms with thirteen platform tracks. There are three tracks without platform (tracks 2, 5 and 10). In 2007, it was used by approximately 110,000 passengers a day.

The 1957 station building was closed in 2007 and demolished the next year - making it the first major post-war railway station in the Netherlands to be taken down to make way for a new one. The new station was completed and opened in 2014.

A total reconstruction of the station and its surroundings started in 2004 to cope with an increasing number of trains, for example the high-speed train between Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, and to accommodate for RandstadRail. Furthermore, the existing station, especially the passenger tunnel, also became too small to handle the growing number of passengers. Traveller numbers were projected to be 320,000 per day in 2025. To cope with this increase, a new station...

Rotterdam Centraal Station, the bustling transportation hub of this vibrant city, is a testament to modern urban design and efficiency. I had the opportunity to experience this station, and it left quite an impression.

The architecture is striking and contemporary, with its sweeping lines and the innovative use of glass, steel, and concrete. It's a visual marvel, both from the outside and within, capturing the essence of Rotterdam's forward-thinking spirit. The station's roof, often referred to as the "wing," is a sight to behold and provides shelter for travelers on rainy days.

Inside, the station is a hive of activity, reflecting Rotterdam's status as a major European city. The wide concourses, shops, cafes, and restaurants create a lively atmosphere. It's a great place to people-watch, grab a quick bite, or indulge in some retail therapy before catching your train.

One of the station's notable features is its excellent connectivity. It serves as a hub for various forms of transportation, making it incredibly easy to navigate the city and the surrounding region. Trains, trams, buses, and even the metro are seamlessly integrated into the station's layout.

However, due to its popularity and heavy foot traffic, finding a quiet spot or a seat during peak hours can be challenging. The station's vibrancy is a double-edged sword in this regard.

In summary, Rotterdam Centraal Station is a symbol of the city's dynamism, offering not only top-notch transportation services but also a unique architectural experience. The station's only drawback is the congestion during busy hours, but that's a small price to pay for the convenience and energy it brings to this modern metropolis. Whether you're a traveler passing through or a local on your daily commute, Rotterdam Centraal Station is a central point of pride...