Wed Jun 6, 3:33 PM ET

This view shows the destruction of the center of Rotterdam, Holland, after the German air bombardment on May 14, 1940 during the invasion of the country in World War II. This photo was taken after the debris was cleared, and all that is left of entire streets are the foundations of the building.The Nazi bombardment flattened buildings and sparked an inferno that destroyed most of downtown Rotterdam, creating an architects' playground during post-World War II reconstruction. As part of its City of Architecture year that has just kicked off, Rotterdam has launched a Web site with descriptions and anecdotes about 40 of the city's most interesting buildings. (AP Photo)

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