Oude Haven (Old Docks) The Oude Haven has every right to call its self the oldest dock of Rotterdam. In 1351 the first jetty was built here. In the centuries that followed the area developped and many warehouses and merchant homes were built along the Gelderse kade. In 1940 the area was completely leveled by German bombs. The redevelopment of the area was awarded to architect Piet Blom in 1977. The area is part of Waterstad, the first expansion of the little town that  Rotterdam was in the early 16th century. These days it is a lively place with an emphasis on nightlife. The dock itself now serves as an open air museum for historic ships. On the southern end a historic (working) ship yard has been reconstructed. The Oude Haven is connected to the Haringvliet. This dock was created between 1575 and 1592 during another expansion of the city. It derives its name from the hering fleet that used to have its base here. On its south bank are a number of student housing block and a couple of old merchant homes. The Spanjaardbrug (Spaniards Bridge) connects the Spaansekade with the Oude Hoofd square. The first bridge was built in 1597. The bridge got its present name in 1608 when the spanish general Spinola and his entourage visited Rotterdam. He was on his way to the Hague for negotiations on the 12 year cease fire during the Eighty Year War (1588-1648) with Spain. The present bridge dates back to 1890. Pay also attention to the advertising pillar of 1894. An innovation in outdoor advertising of which Rotterdam erected 16 at the time.  The White House is een eye catcher too. It was built in 1898 by Molenhoek and with its 45 metres height it was the tallest building in continental Europe. The outside is adorned with Art Nouveau decorations. Watch out for the six pictures in its facade depicting Labour, Progress, Industry, Trade, Agriculture and Navigation. The house next to it are special too. The "Wijnhaven houses" would have been demolished in 1987 in connection with the construction of the railway tunnel. Although the buildings were not exceptional, there was a lot of resistance against the plans. So much had already been torn down in the name of progress. The houses belonged to the few merchant homes left in the area after the bombings in 1940. The protesters succeeded in saving the houses. The houses were taken apart stone by stone and put together again after the completion of the tunnel.  Number 7 dates from 1718, Number 9 from 1628. Number 11 is "new" from 1903 replacing an older one from 1717. Number 13 is a national monument, built in 1616-20. In 1742 it housed a soap factory. Now its the Royal Marines Museum. Also number 15 is a national monument. It has a early 19th century facade.  Nr 21 is classicis. In the water of the Wijnhaven dock is the old bridge house of the demolished Willemsbrug of 1878, which has also been rebuilt after the completion of the railway tunnel. Cubic houses   This  complex (1978-1984), built over the  Blaak near the Old Docks, is a creation by Piet Blom, who built a similar construction in Helmond. Under the cubes is a indoor street with shops and offices. The houses themselves have only tilted walls and offer relatively little space to live in. But it's unique and centrally located. One of the cubes is open to visitors.