On one of our days exploring the Netherlands, we decided to see what the city Rotterdam has to offer and especially wanted to visit the Markthal, which is a recommended sight to see for those who are interested in architecture and in exploring (closed) markets.
But before we reached Markthal, someone else recommended to stroll through a shopping passage known as Koopgoot, which happened to be on the way to Markthal. It was settled then.
Koopgoot is more of a (two connected) shopping street(s) filled with shops of the same brands we've seen in most of the cities in the Netherlands. The convenience of the design and having it connected with an underground metro station, is what makes shopping there a pleasurable outing.
When we were done wandering through Koopgoot, we finally set course to Markthal and were amazed by the structure, both from the outside as the inside. The glass U-shaped building, the painted ceiling and the different layers and floors, were enough to make us try to inspect every corner of the building.
Reading about the idea behind building this structure - Europe's stricter regulations for "selling produce such as fish, meat and cheese in the open air" - was so different from what we encountered. There was only one (Asian) supermarket selling vegetables and fruits and most of all spices and oils used in cuisines from the other continent. We stocked up on our ginger supply.
Most of the stalls sold ready to eat foods, snacks and drinks and cannot remember if I've seen fresh uncooked meets and fish. I wonder if the price of rent isn't worth having a stall there for those market sellers.
Regardless of being disappointed in the variety of market sellers in Markthal, it was worth the trip as we got to cross off a "must see" structure from our list. Furthermore was the view amazing and we got to explore a part of a different city.
