Kraaijvanger

The Netherlands is richer in a national monument. In the cultural season in which De Doelen celebrates its 50th anniversary, the building has
officially become a national monument!
The Netherlands has almost 62,000 national monuments; these are buildings or other objects that have been designated as a protected monument by the national government for their national cultural-historical value. The National Service for Cultural Heritage sees the Doelen as 'timeless temple for the muses and as one of the toppers of the reconstruction period (1940-1965)'.

"In 1962, the first pole of the Doelen was beaten to a design by the architects Evert and Herman Kraaijvanger (the founders of our firm, ed.) And Rein Fledderus", says director-chairman of de Doelen Gabriël Oostvogel. "Four years later, on the traditional construction day of 18 May 1966, the Doelen was opened. With this, De Doelen became 'the crownpiece of reconstruction'. Not only the architecture of the building, but also that history, the Doelen now makes, 50 years later, a national monument. "

The City of Rotterdam is also of the opinion that the Doelen is an important marker in the reconstruction of the city of Rotterdam after the Second World War. "Twenty Rotterdam objects from the first period of reconstruction have already been designated as a national monument in 2010. I am delighted that the Goals are now being added to this national monument list," says alderman Pex Langenberg.
Kraaijvanger is still involved in the Doelen after 50 years. For example, we recently renovated the plinth. The design is based on the original design where the ground floor is an extension of the city.