Markthal, the Queen of Markets

Markthal

The cavernous hall of the Markthal in Rotterdam encompasses apartments, a thriving market, restaurants, a supermarket, 1,100 parking spaces and an impressive, monumental artwork. The Markthal is indeed the queen of markets.

Horn of Plenty by Arno Coenen

Fruits, vegetables, flowers, insects seem to float from the ceiling in one of the biggest works of art in the world. The Horn of Plenty by Arno Coenen covers an area of 11,000 m2. Using 3D technique developed by Pixar, images conceptualized and designed by Coenen and his team are projected onto the concave ceiling. It is dubbed the Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam where fruits replace the saints and the sun at the center standing in for God and Adam.

Detail of the ceiling showing an enormous strawberry and cherry, a bug and a butterfly, stalks of grain, vegetables and a sunflower.

Food stalls, bars and restaurants vie for attention on the ground floor of the market. Private apartments occupy the upper floors. Escalators lead to a supermarket and the parking lot below.

There is no shortage of cheese in the Netherlands, the home of Gouda and Edam.

Markthal

Jan Scharpstraat, 298

Rotterdam

Metro: Blaak Station

Frequent trains depart from Central Station in Amsterdam for the one hour trip to Rotterdam. Get off at Blaak Station which is in front of the Markthal.

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Images by travelswithcharie

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