"A Cappuccino for you?" There is no time
to answer the question of the waitress. I am so fascinated by the cow right behind her. The cow protrudes its head cheekily over her
shoulder. I take the first sip of my drink and see giant lady birds, caterpillars,
and strawberries together with broccoli flying over my head. There
are colourful flowers growing
everywhere ... above me, all around me, oh well, there is a set of human eyes looking at me from
far above and out of the sky
above me. This is a truly consciousness-expanding
experience. Right. I know what you are thinking ... Rotterdam ... Wrong. I haven't taken any drugs at all. I am in the
foodie hotspot of The Netherlands. The Markthal in the centre of Rotterdam is fit for a queen ... and everybody
else. This covered food market has been luring food- and architecture-loving
travellers ever since the opening by
the popular,
clever and friendly Queen Máxima in October 2014.
clever and friendly Queen Máxima in October 2014.
Dutch artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam built a jigsaw of nearly 4,500 aluminium sheets
As soon as visitors enter the hall through the
revolving doors, they let out loud
noises of delight (you know the same noises you hear from the crowds at
fireworks) before they start a frantic search for their smartphone. Each one
of them does this through and through
with ardour. It speaks for the hall that there is an ever-changing group
of excited people, young and old,
near the entrance.
Markthal Rotterdam - Is it a spaceship?
Markthal Rotterdam is a 120 metre-long archway where 100 stallholders and 20 stores sell a
diverse range of food from cheese to
spices, to toffee apples to flowers, and kitchen equipment on a width of 70 metres. The structure in the
form of a horseshoe also houses 228 apartments. Supermarkets plus a
parking garage are in the basement. From their apartments residents can look
all over the market hall. Try to imagine life in a unique piece of art. Dutch artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam and their
team built this jigsaw of nearly 4,500
aluminium sheets to create the artwork with the name Cornucopia. The images of the mural
were created and calculated at the computer, and later printed on the panels.
Markthal - Wares are delivered via hidden tunnels
Wares are delivered via hidden tunnels, making sure there will never be vehicles parked
outside of the building. When I stand next to the side it pretty much looks
like any other modern apartment build to me, it is not pretentious and seems to go on well with its neighbours. Being inside of this enormous
structure is as described a totally different story. The Markthal is one more
piece of avant-garde architecture
in Rotterdam.
Accolades for the market hall in Rotterdam
The Markthal already won the World Architecture News Mixed-Use Award 2014
for an 'original and effective' mix of
different functions. It is my first time in Rotterdam but if this hall
is any indication I am going to love the city. If you love food and crazy one-of-a-kind architectural finds this place is for you. How do
you like The Markthall? Have you been yet or do you plan to visit? Really
looking forward to hear from you.
Info. Markthal. Binnenrotte, Rotterdam. The Markthal is open on seven days a week, from Monday to Saturday from 10am - 8pm, and Sundays from 12pm - 6 pm.
Do you like to visit food markets? 10 of the most vibrant food markets in the world. What else is there to do in Rotterdam? Have you seen this? Cheese Platters & Hard Romance.