If one street is the multicultural street of Rotterdam, it is the West Kruiskade. Turkish baklava, Japanese lucky cats, Dutch stew, Hindustani clothing: in this popular shopping street you have it all.
The ultimate we-know-us feeling reigns on the West-Kruiskade. You will find shops and eateries that introduce you to products from all over the world. Let your nose do the work and be surprised by the wide range. For example, on the popular shopping street you will find the oldest butcher in Rotterdam: Slagerij Schell from 1796. The meat is top quality and the service is always on point. Also exciting is Space 101, a tiny Chinese arts and culture center with regular exhibitions, performances and workshops.
The Kruiskade and the West-Kruiskade used to close together at the Westersingel, but nowadays concert hall De Doelen is situated between the two streets. Today, the Kruiskade is considered the central street of Het Oude Westen. “It is very special that you come across so many different cultures here,” says local resident Lilian Alberga, “but I walk here every day, so I never think about it… actually this is the cultural treasure trove of the city.”
Do you want to do some shopping and time for a rest? You can grab it in the Wijkpark Oude Westen, an oasis of peace, hidden between the Rotterdam high-rise buildings. The park (where dogs are not allowed) is maintained by the local residents. In addition to grass and trees, you will find an animal courtyard, a jeu-de-boules court, and on Wednesday afternoons you can have a (free) cup of tea in the neighborhood garden. Moreover, an event or festival is regularly organized, so keep an eye on our socials!
There are four buildings in the street with bullet holes in the wall that you can still see? The West-Kruiskade was in the past a 'trigger-happy' neighborhood.
Between all international spheres you will find a work of art with a very Dutch touch on the corner of the West Kruiskade and the Josephstraat. On the façade of nursing home De Leeuwenhoek, artist Anne Mercedes Langhorst has made a huge teapot of Delft blue tiles. With this she wanted to express the solidarity of cultures of the quay.
