De Punter Eric Fecken

The Punter is back where Rotterdam originated

Some thirty years ago, archaeologists in Rotterdam made an extraordinary discovery near the library. About ten meters under the ground they found a boat. A so-called punter.

The vessel was found at the construction site of the railway tunnel under the Binnenrotte. Exactly at the site where the dam in the river Rotte used to be. Archaeologists discovered that the small boat was actually used to close the last hole in the dam around 1270. This is where the first inhabitants settled and eventually the city of Rotterdam came into existence. The punter is thus at the origin of Rotterdam as we know it today. After preservation, this special historical object is now on permanent display on the 3rd floor of the Central Library.

Rotterdam owes its existence and its name to the Rotte: Rotte-dam. The dam in the Rotte. The dam of 400 meters lies directly under the current Hoogstraat. To build the dam, not only materials such as clay and reeds were used, but also utensils. Just like the punter. The punter is a spectacular find because it definitively proves that the dam and with it the city dates from around 1270. Researchers were able to deduce this from the wood used to build the small ship.

“The punter is a beautiful object with which we – being the largest and most accessible cultural institution in the city – are extremely happy,” says Theo Kemperman director-administrator of the Rotterdam Library. He continues: “Rotterdam is a city with a special past, whose history is not easy to take in. The punter offers Rotterdammers a unique way to understand this history. We are proud that Rotterdammers can learn about their city in the library through this iconic object.”

 

Share this post

Related posts

Celebrate freedom during Museumnacht010!

This year we celebrate 80 years of freedom and we do that big during the Rotterdam Museum Night

Read more

A State of Trance Festival

The stage is set for an A State of Trance Festival like never before, as Armin van Buuren

Read more

Top 5 restaurants in Rotterdam – Indian Cuisine Edition

If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food this winter, be sure not to miss out on Indian

Read more

Wear local with ROFFA

Local clothing brand ROFFA features designs showcasing iconic Rotterdam landmarks such as Feyenoord’s stadium, the Euromast and the

Read more