The Giant of Rotterdam gets his statue

The life-size bronze statue of Rigardus Rijnhout, also known as "De Reus van Rotterdam" (The Giant of Rotterdam), was unveiled in Rotterdam on June 6.

Rigardus Rijnhout was born in Rotterdam in 1922 and died 36 years later in Leiden. The giant suffered both from acromegaly and pituitary tumor; his height was 2,37 meters, his weight 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.

The statue made by artist Herman Lamers also symbolises the growth of Rotterdam.