OVERVIEW
Antwerp is one of the Belgium cities where you can fancy yourself the King of Belgium over a glass of Koninck beer (or one of the other 400 brands) with a view on the old guildhouses on the Grote Markt. Belgium's second city, and the biggest one of Flanders, is also a receptacle of monuments, museums and churches. Besides this, the city of Rubens, is the world’s centre for diamond processing as well as Belgium’s primary seaport.
The heart of the city on the Scheldt beats at the 'Grote Markt', an irregularly-shaped square, surrounded by decorative guild housedating from the 16th and 17th century. This square is home to the statue of Brabo. According to a 16th century legend, his action of 'handwerpen' (Dutch for 'flinging your hand') led to the city's name. Silvius Brabo is said to have flung the hand of Antigonus, a giant who terrorized passing ships. The 15th century City Hall on the square shows a successful blend of the Flemish style and Italian Renaissance characteristics. Southeast of the square, you can see the 'Onze Lieve Vrouwe Cathedral', a beautiful Gothic cathedral which will throw the rest of the square in the shade.
Antwerp's most famous resident is undoubtedly Pieter Paul Rubens. The painter's, and diplomat's, spirit is present all throughout town. His statue is at the 'Groenplaats' and he was buried at the St Paulus kerk. Many churches are enriched with his paintings. The Rubenshuis, the place where the painter lived and worked, still exudes the grandeur of the height of the Baroque in Antwerp. In the decorative restored Rockoxhuis, Rubens has a substantial presence, together with Jordaens, Matsys and his pupil Van Dyck.
The city of Rubens is a paradise for museum lovers. The Fine Arts Museum in the south houses over a thousand works by classical painters, including the Flemish Primitives. In addition, you can enjoy over 1500 more recent works. Naturally, this is where you will find the world's most beautiful and largest collection of the work of Antwerpen's great master Rubens. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MUHKA) has a collection of mainly Belgian art from the nineteen-seventies. These are only a few of the museums you will come across on your walk from the central station to the Grote Markt Mayer van den Bergh Museum is dedicated to fine and applied arts, particularly from the 14th to the 16th century. If you are at the Berchem station, make sure you see the Zurenborg district, known for its unique architectural complexities. Nowhere else in Europe than here will you find such a decorative collection of Art Nouveau and Jugendstil houses.
The city of diamonds has its main museum in the heart of the diamond district, the streets behind the central station. This part of the city is known as the 'Jerusalem of the North', because it has the largest settlement of Orthodox Jews in this part of Europe. Over 70% of the world's cutting and trading in diamonds takes place in Antwerp.
One of the resasons why Antwerp can maintain its world centre position is because of the port's international trade links. A river cruise is definately not to be missed, not only to admire the famous skyline with its antique towers from the water, but also to experience the busy world port from the inside. Those who don't like boats can still enjoy the Scheldt from the unique promenade near the 'Steen'. The Steen is the oldest building within Antwerp and houses the National Maritime Museum with its open-air department exhibiting real ships.
So when your eyes are tired and your feet are raw because of all the miles you have walked, sit down again at the Grote Markt and soak in the atmosphere. Prepare yourself for a night out in the sparkling city with its many names and its slight inferiority complex (Brussels and Bruges still get all the attention). May the beers soothe your tiredness and soften your own dialect.
SIGHTS
Antwerp: the City of Rubens, the City of Diamonds and the City of the Scheldt. A city with so many names is destined to have something for every traveller. It is a must for museum lovers. The city has a broad collection of paintings, ranging from classical works to modern Flemmish paintings. Of course, Antwerp´s most famous son Rubens is memorated in many museums and churches. The 'Grote Markt', with its view of the Brabo statue, the guildhouses and the City Hall, offers a good sight of what the old days must have been like. If you are more interested in Antwerp's present activities, such as its position as the world centre of diamonds, go to the Diamond Museum. The city is also the city of the Scheldt. Whenever your looking for some fresh air, take a walk along the Scheldt and let yourself be impressed by other guild houses, such as the 'Vleeshuis'.
Grote Markt
The heart of the City on the Scheldt beats at the 'Grote Markt', an irregularly-shaped square, surrounded by decorative guild houses dating from the 16th and 17th century. This square is home to the statue of Brabo.
According to a 16th century legend his action (flinging a hand, or in Dutch 'Hand werpen') led to the city being given its name. The 15th century City Hall is a successful blend of the Flemish style and Italian Renaissance characteristics.
Probably the best example of this blended architecture is the Stadhuis, the Town Hall built between 1561 and 1564.
Groen Plaats
Groen Plaats is a big square located in the city centre, just next to Grote Markt and the Cathedral.
This square was built over the old cemetery of the cathedral and it's characterized by many restaurants and pubs and by the big statue of Rubens in the centre.
Cogels Osylei
Art nouveau street, unique architecture around 1920.
KBC Tower
KBC Tower was the first skyscraper to be built in Europe (1930)
The tower is nicknamed Boerentoren, Farmer's tower, because the bank, whose headquarters are in the building, at that time was owned by a farmers corporation.
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Cathedral
Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 1-4pm. Gothic cathedral which houses several impressive and famous paintings of Rubens, such as 'the Descent from the Cross'.
It is located in the heart of the city, between Groen Plaats and Grote Markt.
St Jacobskerk
Open April-October Mon-Sat 2-5pm, November-March Mon-Sat 9am-noon. This is the church where Rubens was buried, and his close relatives, when he died in 1640.
St Pauluskerk
Open May-September 2-5pm. This is a late Gothic church with some interesting carvings.
GETTING AROUND
The train station, or the 'Railway Cathedral', is connected with the rest of the city by tram, bus and metro. Tickets can be bought in advance or at the spot. However, a 24-hours pass can only be bought at the Diamant Underground Station (open Mon.-Frid. 8am-12:30pm & 1:30am-4pm). The city centre is easily explored by foot. Most sights are between the Central Station and the Scheldt, with a high concentration of churches and cathedrals around the Grote Markt.
SHOPPING
When leaving the central station, you can start walking along the 'Golden Mile'. This walk, via the Meir to the Groen Plaats (with the statue of Rubens), will take you not only past many sights, but also through the city's main shopping district.
The boutiques are stuffed with Belgian fashions and typical Antwerp delicacies. One tip for shoppers is the annual Rubens Market on the 15th of August. On that public holiday, the market traders sell their wares at the Grote Markt dressed up in traditional Rubens-style clothing.
NOTICE
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