| Blijdorp | |
|---|---|
| — Neighbourhood of Rotterdam — | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | South Holland |
| COROP | Rotterdam |
| Borough | Noord |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
Blijdorp is a neighbourhood in northern Rotterdam and is part of the borough Noord. The neighbourhood has around 9500 inhabitants.
Blijdorp was built between 1931 and 1940 in Blijdorpse polder, where the district is named. The district is bounded by the 1940 subdued Noorderhaven, the Noorderkanaal, the Schie-Schie kanaal and the railroad to Hook of Holland. Blijdorp borders the districts Bergpolder and Provenierswijk.
With the name "Blijdorp" almost everyone thinks about the Rotterdam Zoo in the same district. If people told they lived in the district Blijdorp, they were often called monkeys.
The construction of Blijdorp became possible after filling in the Rotterdamse Schie. Blijdorp was not affected by the bombing of Rotterdam of May 14, 1940 by the Germans. A monument because of the bombing is in a green strip on Statenweg (between Statensingel and Nieuwpoortstraat). The damping was already before the war began.
After this bombardment were the need for new houses great and the Noorderkanaal built many Houseboats. The original idea was that they would disappear after a number of years, but they are still there.
The in 1934 used Prinsekerk was the replacement of the old Oosterkerk on the Hoogstraat, below which was demolished. A second standing church in the district, the Statensingelkerk in 1988 and demolished, as was customary in those days, replaced by old people.
The neighbourhood has other ecclesiastical buildings. The Vroesepark and Spoorsingel give a green accent between the apartment complexes, which the district almost completely of consists.
Blijdorp has been nominated bij the municipality Rotterdam for the status of conservation area.