De Ballentent

De Ballentent is an iconic landmark in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Built between 1914 and 1915, it's the world's oldest floating pontoon and is well-known for its immense size and durability. It has been named after De Ballenhaven, the home of its original landing place. The pontoon has since been replaced with a new one built by the Royal Netherlands Navy.

De Ballentent was designed to be a robust structure that could be towed and moved around, allowing it to be used as a bridge, crane support, or a floating pontoon. Its steel-constructed design allowed for a much larger range of motion and it is now considered a remarkable engineering feat. It has survived numerous storms, flooding, and even a large fire that occurred in 2003, proving its sturdiness. Today, it serves as a major tourist attraction in Rotterdam and is widely admired by visitors looking for a unique souvenir. Visitors can take a boat ride to get a better view of De Ballentent, as it is only accessible from the water. It has become a symbol of Rotterdam's resilient character, proving its strength tenfold.