Belgium city of Antwerp - Part 1

BELGIUM city of ANTWERP part 1

Antwerp is a city and municipality in Belgium, the capital of the Antwerp province of Belgium, it is by far the most populous city in Belgium. The city is located on the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The Port of Antwerp is one of the biggest ports in the world, currently ranking third in Europe and within the top 20 globally.

Antwerp is an important city in the Low Countries for economical and cultural reasons. The name originates in the Gallo-roman period and the Latin Antwerpia.

Modern buildings stand alongside buildings of the past in this panorama of Antwerp’s quays from the left bank of the Scheldt. The quays were straightened and rebuilt after the old ramparts and gates leading to the river banks were demolished in the 19th century.

Remarkable guild houses line the north-west of Antwerp’s main square. The White Angel and the Coopers House, in Flemish renaissance style, date from 1579 and 1560. The taller Crossbowmen’s House has a statue of St. George, restored in the 19th century. The Young Crossbowmen’s House, from 1500, is Gothic, as is its neighbour, the Habessbowmen’s House, from 1500, is also Gothic, as is its neighbour, the Haberdashers’ House. The next two, the Drapers’ and Tanners’ Houses, date from the 17th to the 19th centuries, use to stand elsewhere in Antwerp and were rebuilt here to complete the decor. In the centre of the main square, Brabo’s fountain depicts the hero who freed the town from a legendary tyrant.

Antwerp’s town hall was built by the architect and sculptor Cornelis Floris de Vriendt from 1561 to 1565 in a Flemish style inspired by Italian design.

Antwerp later suffered in the Wars of the Religion which reduced its population and wiped out its wealth and led to the closing of the Scheldt.
The cathedral itself was built in 1352, completed in 1530, damaged by fire in 1533 and restored from the 17th to the 20th centuries. It is the largest Gothic style building of the former Netherlands. The only complete tower is 123 meters high and houses 47 bells. Inside are five huge naves, two large paintings by Rubens magnificent baroque tombs.

The painter Peter Paul Rubens designed his house and workshop with a baroque decor; the ornate curves reflect the style of his paintings. A beautiful arch leads to an attractive garden with flowers and statues. The completely refurnished house-museum gives you an idea of what the home of the ‘prince of painters was like.