Belgium city of Antwerp - Part 2

BELGIUM city of ANTWERP part2

The Bootje (little boat) house next to the Fine Arts museum belonged to a ship-owner. Antwerp has a large number of houses from the 1900’s; these houses are very exuberant and have an imaginative style. Designed for the middle class tradesmen of the early 20th century, these buildings provided a new way of asserting their taste and new found wealth.

Antwerp also has a Zoo, located right next to the Central Railway Station and is one of the oldest in the World. Established in 1843, over the years the Zoo grew from 3. 9 Acres to 26 Acres. The Zoo now houses over 7, 000 animals and nearly 2, 000. 000 visitors every year.
Antwerp is famous for its local products. In August every year the Bollekesfeest takes place. The Bollekesfeest is a showcase for such local products as Bolleke, an amber beer from the De Koninck Brewery. The Mokatine sweets made by Confiserie Roodthooft, Elixir D' Anvers, a locally made liquor, locally roasted coffee from Koffie Verheyen, sugar from Candico, Poolster pickled herring and Equinox horse meat, are other examples of local specialities. One of the most known products of the city are its biscuits, the Antwerpse Handjes, literally ' Antwerp Hands' . Usually made from a short pastry with almonds or milk chocolate, they symbolize the Antwerp trademark and folklore.

Some interesting points from the 20th century, Antwerp was the first city to host the World Gymnastics Championships in 1903. Antwerp also hosted the 1920 Summer Olympics.

During World War II the city became a very important target because of the port. The Germans took and occupied the city in May 1940 until the British liberated the city in September 1944. The Germans thereafter tried to destroy the port with the lethal VI and V2 rocket missiles but luckily failed as most fell around the city. Soon after the War the city was rebuilt quickly with new developments.

The city is well connected from Brussels centre by regular train services and can be reached between 30-40 minutes.

You can jump on a tour bus or a horse carriage tour or take a walk along the Scheldt. Grab a lunch in one of the many local restaurants and try some of the famous Belgium “Mussels and Frites” and on a sunny day a welcome Belgium beer. You can finish your day with a local Belgium waffle and for Cigar lovers there are great cigar clubs opposite the small castle on the Scheldt.