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Museum · Roterdã, Holanda Meridional
Fenix
A museum of art about migration in a former port warehouse in Katendrecht, facing the quay from which emigrants of the Holland-Amerika Lijn departed. It features the Tornado double spiral staircase at the top.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Fenix
The Fenix occupies the Fenixloods, a port warehouse on the Rijnhaven in Katendrecht. Across the water is the Holland-Amerika Lijn quay, from which millions of people sailed to the United States and Canada from the late 19th century. Among those who passed through were the painter Willem de Kooning and the writer Thomas Mann.
The museum tells the stories of those who leave, those who arrive and those who return, with art from various countries, photographs and large objects, such as a piece of the Berlin Wall. The photo exhibition The Family of Migrants gathers about 200 images of departures, journeys and arrivals.
On the ground floor, the Labirinto de Malas houses roughly two thousand donated suitcases, each with a story. The architectural highlight is the Tornado, a double spiral staircase of steel and wood designed by the MAD studio, which leads up to a rooftop lookout with views over the river and the Erasmusbrug.
Katendrecht, the surrounding peninsula, is known locally as De Kaap. Once a sailors' quarter, it now has restaurants, cafés and Deliplein square, just a few minutes from the museum.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2 to 3 hours.
Best time
It is also open on weekend afternoons; go early to climb the Tornado with fewer people. Check opening times before you go.
How to get there
Take the metro to Rijnhaven and walk about 10 minutes, or walk across the Rijnhavenbrug from the Wilhelminapier and Hotel New York. There is a tram that stops near Deliplein square.
Tip
Go up to the top of the Tornado at the end of your visit to see the river and the quay the ships used to leave from. Then have dinner in Katendrecht, just a short walk away.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Fenix
What is the Fenix museum about?
About migration: who leaves, who arrives and who returns, told through art, photography and objects.
What is the Tornado at the Fenix?
A double spiral staircase that leads up to a viewpoint on the roof, with views over the river and the city.
Why is the museum located in that place?
The warehouse faces the quay of the Holland-Amerika Lijn, from where millions of emigrants departed for America.
Can the Fenix be combined with other tours?
Yes. The Hotel New York, the Wilhelminapier and the Erasmusbrug are only a few minutes' walk away.