![]() Antwerpen Central Station | ![]() Museum of the Arts |
![]() De Kathedraal of Our Lady in Antwerpen | ![]() The Kathedraal dominates the city skyline |
![]() Commemorating the church builders | ![]() The shops are built right up to the church |
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The bell and clock tower of De Kathedraal. I couldn't get the entire church in except from a great distance as above. The building on the right is down the street from the cathedral and across the street from where I ate lunch. It displays the Flemish, Belgian, and European Union flags. This is also where I was treated to a medley of songs from West Side Story played on the church bells. They started at noon and were still playing when I left at 12:50 PM. | |
![]() The sign on the restaurant where I had lunch. The tomato salad and pizza were great, but you get a thimbleful of coffee for about $2.50. I also had a De Koninck beer which was good and cheaper than the coffee. |
![]() City Center of Antwerpen | ![]() Some of the beautiful buildings in Antwerpen |
![]() Camel Boy atop the gate to the Zoo | ![]() A loving Gnome in the park |
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Borromeus: This typical Baroque church was built by the Jesuits between 1615 and 1621 to a design drawn up by their rector Francois Aguillon and Brother Peter Huyssens. Rubens played an important part in the decoration of the facade and the pinnacle of the tower but especially of the interior. | |
![]() The Stadhuis (Town Hall) in Grote Markt |
![]() Flags are displayed around the building |
![]() Buildings lining Grote Markt | ![]() All are topped by gilded statues |
![]() A World War Two Memorial commemorating those who gave all | ![]() the "hand thrower" | ![]() The bronze statue of the brave Brabo, who slew Antigoon |
The legend about the town of Antwerpen has it that a Giant (Druoon Antigoon) guarded the river here and levied a heavy toll on the river Scheldt, if a Ship's captain refused to pay, he cut off a hand and threw it into the river. Silvius Brabo, a Roman Centurian, killed Antigoon, and chopped off both the giant's hands and threw them in the river. Hand-werpen: werpen means to throw. | |
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![]() The Steen | ![]() A closer view |
The 'Steen' are the remainings of the former castle, that once was the core of the city, from which it developed further. Formerly called "'s Heren Steen", it is the oldest structure in Antwerpen. Excavations showed traces of habitation in the Gallo-Roman period. It was used as a prison from the Middle Ages to 1823. In 1864 it was opened as a Museum of Antiquities. In 1952 the National Maritime Museum was established there. It was enlarged to it's present state and re-opened on Myy 17, 1958. | |
![]() A side view | ![]() Details of the reconstruction |
![]() The back view from the Maritime Museum | ![]() A Boxer grazes nearby |
![]() Lions guard the park | ![]() A cruise ship docks |
![]() A Navy Destroyer was also in port | ![]() This old barge is in the Maritime Museum |
![]() A flower display on a light pole | ![]() Flowers near the riverfront |
![]() A look down the riverside road | ![]() A horsedrawn tour carriage |
![]() The Diamond District, Antwerpen is the diamond capitol of the world | ![]() RULE #1: Never buy diamonds from any guy named Danny |
The diamond district of the city starts right next to the Central Station. It is a pleasant jumble of shops and stalls where you can buy old and new jewelry. This is where about 60% of the world's production of rough and cut stones and industrial diamonds are traded, observing ancient traditions based on unconditional trust between dealers. Looking down the street toward Antwerpen Central there must have been 50 or more of these "diamond stalls". Each was about fifteen feet wide and no deeper than eight or ten feet. You don't need much room when your only product is diamonds. On the other side of the street the vendors used more traditional shops, but the number of shops and principle was the same. Sell diamonds. And, no, I didn't buy any. |
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