During the Second World War, it was even considered a no-go area by the occupiers because of suspected disease outbreaks. In recent years, however, there has been a massive shift in the perception of Kop van Zuid due to the construction of the impressive Erasmus Bridge which opened up access to this southern part of the city and the 21st-century metamorphosis of the Kop van Zuid peninsula. It was desperately needed, some say. In that regard, they make a valid point, as Katendrecht is no longer the non-conforming, unregulated outpost it was in days gone by.
A place where dockworkers once slogged away, as did the many prostitutes working there. Where sailors swarmed and immigrants settled. Back in the day, Katendrecht had the honour of being the first Chinatown in Europe. It was also the epicentre of prostitution. Towards the end of the 19th century, Katendrecht was still a green oasis lying at the outskirts of the city. Unsurprisingly, well-to-do Rotterdam families set up their country homes there; from the city, it was a convenient location to travel to for a breath of fresh country air.
Until the municipality eyed up this beautiful piece of land for the expansion of its port activities. The Maashaven and Rijnhaven were dug out, creating a peninsula that was soon christened De Kaap. When visiting Katendrecht, cast your eyes across to the other side of the Maashaven and notice the massive Maassilo. Back in , this building was the largest reinforced concrete building in the Netherlands and later became the largest grain silo in Europe.
As for the red-light district β¦ history tells us that the first Chinese workers began arriving in Katendrecht in when sailors in Rotterdam and Amsterdam were holding a major strike.
To keep the ports running, immigrant labour was brought in from England. And with so many potential clients, prostitution also made a rapid crossing from the city centre to De Kaap.
