Rotterdam Architecture on Yahoo! News Photos

Over one hundred light beams illuminate the fire limits of Rotterdams ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:33:10 GMT

(AP) - Over one hundred light beams illuminate the fire limits of Rotterdams city center May 14, 2007. The fire limits mark the boundaries of those areas of the city that were destroyed during World War II by German bombing and the ensuing fires that broke out exactly 67 years ago, May 14, 1940. The bombing and the fires managed to destroy practically all of Rotterdam's city center, about 800 people died, and 80,000 citizens were left homeless. Part of he Erasmus Bridge is shown at right. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

This view shows the destruction of the center of Rotterdam, ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:33:03 GMT

(AP) - This view shows the destruction of the center of Rotterdam, Holland, after the German air bombardment on May 14, 1940 during the invasion of the country in World War II. This photo was taken after the debris was cleared, and all that is left of entire streets are the foundations of the building.The Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo)

The Cube homes designed by Amsterdam architect Piet Blom in ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:32:27 GMT

(AP) - The Cube homes designed by Amsterdam architect Piet Blom in 1978 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, are seen on this April, 2007 photo. On May 14, 1940 a Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site www.rotterdam2007.nl with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo/ Bas Czerwinski)

The Erasmus Bridge towers over the river Maas in Rotterdam, ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:32:05 GMT

(AP) - The Erasmus Bridge towers over the river Maas in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on this April, 2007 photo. On May 14, 1940 a Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site www.rotterdam2007.nl with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo/ Bas Czerwinski)

Cafe De Unie by Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud, in Rotterdam, the ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:31:26 GMT

(AP) - Cafe De Unie by Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Wednesday, May, 16, 2007. On May 14, 1940 a Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo/ Bas Czerwinski)

A girl walks in front of the towering office of Nationale Nederlanden ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:31:05 GMT

(AP) - A girl walks in front of the towering office of Nationale Nederlanden in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April, 2007 photo. On May 14, 1940 a Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo/ Bas Czerwinski)

The Hotel New York, once the headquarters of the Holland-America ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:29:49 GMT

(AP) - The Hotel New York, once the headquarters of the Holland-America Line, stands between British architect Sir Norman Foster's World Port Center, left, and the Montevideo apartment block designed by Francine Houben of Mecanoo Architects, at just over 152 meters (500 feet) the Netherlands' tallest residential tower, at the Wilhelminapier in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in this 2006 photo. On May 14, 1940 a Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web sitel with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo/ Bas Czerwinski)

A boat approaches Foster's World Port Center, left, Hotel New ...

(AP) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:28:03 GMT

(AP) - A boat approaches Foster's World Port Center, left, Hotel New York, once the headquarters of the Holland-America Line, center, and the Montevideo apartment block designed by Francine Houben of Mecanoo Architects, at just over 152 meters (500 feet) the Netherlands' tallest residential tower, background, at the Wilhelminapier in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, May, 16, 2007. On May 14, 1940 a Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)