Sliding down Maritime Museum with the Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj

During the 10th anniversary edition of the Rotterdamse Dakendagen, the roof of the Maritiem Museum will be in the spotlight from Thursday 29 May to Monday 9 June. There will be a surprising exhibition at height, a unique view over the Coolsingel and the Leuvehaven and, to finish, a spectacular descent via the metre-long slide ending on a pontoon in the Leuvehaven. But descending by stairs is of course also possible. Tickets for Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj are available via this link.

Through the Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj, a glimpse of the city of the future comes to life: an inspiring, playful world where water, greenery and buildings merge. The space around the building can also be visited (for free).

Léon van Geest (director Rotterdam Roof Days) on Rooftop Roetsj

'On the roof of the Maritime Museum, not only a beautiful view and one of the highest slides in the Netherlands await them, but also an unexpected discovery,' director Léon van Geest told Oscar van Bekkum.

What is the Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj?

''An exhibition on the roof, and part of the Rotterdam Roof Days. Visitors will see the city from above, but we also want to make them aware of the potential of roofs in the city in a playful way. More roofs can be put to even better use, such as for greening, energy generation and water collection.'

How is the Maritime Museum involved?

''The Maritime Museum and the surrounding outdoor space will undergo a transformation in the coming years. The municipality is drawing up plans for this together with various stakeholders, including the museum. One of the things being considered is a roof open to the public, where you look out over both the harbour and Coolsingel. Since we are curious to know what the public thinks such a roof should look like, we are asking visitors to the Rooftop Roetsj what they think is important for the city and for the museum area. Any ideas we get we share with the municipality.''

What else can visitors expect?

''The entire roof is set up with an exhibition on Rotterdam's relationship with water, including images of the past from the municipal archives, drawn future perspectives, or innovations on roofs, such as vertical solar panels. At the end of the exhibition, visitors make a descent down a 20-metre slide. For those wondering if the slide ends in water: no, you just come down dry on a mat. And if you don't want to go down the slide, you can also take the stairs.''

How do you hope people react when they have gone down the slide?

''Very nice it would be if people realise that they live in a fantastic city that is constantly changing and that we can do a lot in Rotterdam with our roofs. I also hope they see how well the city and water fit together. And of course, I hope that people come down the slide especially very happy and excited.''