The Erasmus bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Maas river, linking the Northern and southern Dutch town of Rotterdam.

The author of the project - the Dutch architect Ben van Berkel. The opening of the bridge took place in 1996, it was officially opened by Queen Beatrix. The length of the bridge – 802 meters, while its thickness is only about two meters. This is one of the finest bridges in the world, however, it does not affect its strength or load carrying capacity, as in the construction of the bridge were used the most modern materials and alloys.

A distinctive feature of the bridge is asymmetrical white pylon with a height of 139 meters, which makes the bridge was nicknamed the Swan bridge. Almost immediately after the opening of the Swan-the bridge has become the hallmark of Rotterdam. The official name of the bridge – the Erasmus bridge in honor of the famous philosopher, humanist and writer of Erasmus of Rotterdam.

The construction of the bridge has another interesting feature. This cable-stayed, suspension bridge, it has four sections, and the South span - bascule, because not all ships can pass under the bridge. It is the largest and heaviest bascule bridge span in Western Europe. Almost immediately after opening it was discovered that the bridge sways with very strong wind, and had further strengthened.

The bridge is for pedestrian and vehicle movement. The bridge is at the end of one of the busiest urban roads and connects the city center with the new Kop van Zuid and forth with the Rotterdam port.