What is "spangen"

Spangen is a neighborhood of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

It is in the west of the city with about 10000 inhabitants. From the entrance of Spangen to the center is formed by the Mathenesserbrug across the Delfshavense Schie.

The design of the area is world-famous among architects and urban planners, but for the casual visitor it is not the first thing that strikes. Spangen is socio-economically one of the poorest neighborhoods of the country. Several blocks are restored, others are still on the nomination and in the meantime boarded up. The population is over 85 percent of foreign origin. Through trial and error the neighborhood tries to raise itself from the misery of the eighties and nineties of the twentieth century.

In the middle of Spangen is the oldest football stadium in the Netherlands, the Castle of Sparta from 1916. This stadium was completely renovated in 1999 and is now officially known as Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.

Every year on May 1 The Internationale is sung by some socialists, including council members.

Category:Neighbourhoods of Rotterdam