Antwerp, Belgium
Sammy
Antwerp, in Belgium, is still a bustling harbour despite the rise of its neighbouring Rotterdam. Antwerp is close to the mouth of the river Schledt and on the border with the Netherlands.
When I think of Belgium, I tend to think of a grey, boring country but a friend of mine visited Antwerp recently and told a very different tale. It seems there is much to do in Antwerp.
Being a seaport, Antwerp has the traditional ship-building trade but also has a lucrative diamond trade. You can even see piles of the stones and watch them being cut at the Provincial Diamond Museum.
The Grote Markt is in the centre of the city and contains the famous Brabo Fountain, dedicated to a Roman called Brabo who is meant to have freed the city from slavery at the hands of a ruthless giant, according to legend.
The town square is dominated by the Renaissance Town Hall and the art nouveau buildings around it, topped with golden statues.
Next to the Grote Markt is the Cathedral of Our Lady, built in 1352 but not finished until around 170 years later.
The Tourist Office gives out leaflets showing all places in the city that may interest those who admire the work of the city’s native artist, Ruben. These include, amongst many others, Rubenhaus, where he lived for 25 years, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and his final resting place in the city’s St Jacobskerk.
You can also visit the town’s zoo, complete with a dolphinarium and there are many shopping centres, restaurants and great hotels. Maybe it’s time I paid Belgium another visit after all.
Posted on: Monday, May 5, 2008 at 8:40 pm 
Belgium. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.