The Giant of Rotterdam honoured in statue
The life-size bronze statue of Rigardus Rijnhout, also known as ‘The Giant of Rotterdam’, was unveiled in Oude Westen, Rotterdam on June 6. The statue made by artist Herman Lamers also symbolises the growth of Rotterdam. We don’t have a pic (yet) and ironic that first you are made fun of, then get a statue to represent your city.
Born in Rotterdam in 1922 Rigardus Rijnhout died age 36 years in Leiden. The giant suffered both from acromegaly (a chronic metabolic disorder in which there is too much growth hormone) and pituitary tumor. He was 2,37 meters tall, weighed 230 kilos and his shoe size 62 (European size).
During his life time, Rigardus Rijnhout received a lot of attention and was often bullied because of his size. In this video you see him age 15, eating many sandwiches and the narrator saying that if Rijnhout raised his hand, he could reach the rooftop drain.
(Link: iamexpat.nl, thetallestman)
You should visit Rotterdam more often, and take some pics while you’re there.