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 The quiet beguine convent |
Rodestraat 39 Antwerp 2000 Belgium |
This beguine convent is an oasis of peace and quiet, yet located in the middle of the city. Enjoy a walk in this small park and you'll feel relaxed in no time. The beguine convent dates back to the sixteenth century and these 44 charming little houses are by far the most desired in Antwerp. Want to live here? Be patient as the waiting list is long. Sixteen of the houses are still inhabited by beguine sisters and to this day male visitors are not allowed to visit after 6p. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Brabo fountain on Grote Market |
Grote Market Antwerp 2000 Belgium |
Every time you visit Antwerp you should stop at the Grote Markt and greet the statue of Brabo. This little hero was a sailor who was navigating his ship down the river Scheldt. He had planned to sail past Antwerp with his cargo but there was an evil giant stopping every ship and demanding money to let them continue their journey. Brabo fought the giant, cut off the giant's hand and threw it in the water. This story explains where the name of the city of Antwerp comes from. 'Hand werpen' in Flemish means 'throwing a hand'. Brabo was a courageous little devil. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ben Murray  |
 Photo: Ricky |
 Photo: Adam and Mary Dunn |
 Photo: Alexander Burr |
 Photo: Bruno De Regge |
 Photo: Anna Peters |
 Photo: Ronny Gabriels |
 Photo: Paranovirus |
 Photo: Venky Rao |
 Photo: neide torres de castro |
 Photo: emr xtremr |
 Photo: Jeff DeVries |
 Photo: skaroline |
 Photo: Boris Barth |
 Photo: indy12121 |
 Photo: Desiree Koh |
 Photo: PynchonCommunity |
 Photo: Kurt Quirijnen |
 Photo: Kevin Heylman |
 Photo: Dianne Obviar |
 Photo: Ulenhof |
 Photo: avmalde |
 Photo: Stephen Lamb |
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Visit the city hall |
Grote Markt Antwerp 2000 Belgium |
The Antwerp City Hall is an Italian style renaissance building from the 16th century. Check out the paintings, as well as the chimney, which was erected in 1548. The mayor and the magistrates actually still have their offices in the city hall so it's not always possible to visit the inside. The city hall is situated in the center of the old city at the Grote Markt, behind the Brabo fountain. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Pawan Kesari |
 Photo: Mike Knowles |
 Photo: Star |
 Photo: David Oliver |
 Photo: Julia Caldwell |
 Photo: Reinhilde Zelck |
 Photo: Joaquin Vanschoren |
 Photo: Daniel J. Cartwright |
 Photo: Pieter Dhondt |
 Photo: Nick Narvaez III |
 Photo: Stephen Montgomery |
 Photo: Lien De Leenheer |
 Photo: Ivy |
 Photo: Graham Merg |
 Photo: rockstone |
 Photo: Cinthya Uribe |
 Photo: Nathaniel Payne |
 Photo: jaidecker |
 Photo: Michelle Rice |
 Photo: Danielle Loga |
 Photo: Codfish from Norway |
 Photo: Vince Coughlan |
 Photo: p_papakonstantinou |
 Photo: Christopher Miller |
 Photo: Jan Van Bruaene |
 Fantastic architecture in neo-style |
Cogels-Osylei Antwerp 2000 Belgium |
If you're an architecture fanatic you must take a walk down Antwerp's famous Cogels-Osylei, near the Berchem railway station. In the Cogels-Osylei, you'll be able to feast your eyes on some exquisite examples of private houses, which were built at the turn of the century in various neo styles with art nouveau influences. Most houses are protected as public monuments. However, you can admire the exteriors. Another example of eccentric architecture is the Five Continents house, situated at the corner of the Schilderstraat and the Plaatsnijdersstraat in the South area of Antwerp. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jan DB, Belgium |
 Photo: Stefan Hendrickx |
 Photo: Photocapy |
 Photo: frank vranckx (slö) |
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Eleven days celebration of Flanders |
Baron Dhanislaan 20 bus 5 (11-daagse Vlaanderen-Europa vzw) Antwerp 2000 Belgium +32 3 238 2002 |
Each year, from the end of June to July 11th, the region of Flanders celebrates the successful co-operation and co-existence with its European partners. On July 11th, we also commemorate the famous battle against the French in 1302 and which is called the Guldensporenslag or the battle of the gilded spurs. In that period of European conflicts and wars, the Flemish people managed to trap the French knights, with their horses and heavy suits of armour, in the muddy fields of Flanders. The knights were bogged down in the mud and lost the battle, thus Flanders was not subject to the French occupation. This battle is called Guldensporenslag because the Flemish soldiers took the golden spurs from the knights and decorated the churches with their war trophies. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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High-rise art-deco |
Schoenmarkt 35 Antwerp 2000 Belgium +31 3 202 9011 |
The Boerentoren, or Farmers' Tower, was built specially for the world exposition, which was held in Antwerp in 1930. On a site which had been bombed in the war, one of the first US-style skyscrapers was erected with a façade consisting of art-deco elements. The original tower was 87.5 metres high but after restoration in the seventies, when the whole building was transformed into office space, it reached its current height of 97 meters. The name of the building refers to the farmers' co-operative, which was the main investor of the original project. The tower is currently leased by KBC, one of Belgium's largest banks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: QbiT |
 Photo: Andrew Crump |
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Flanders' most influential writer |
Hendrik Conscience Plein Antwerp 2000 Belgium |
In front of the city library (Stadsbibliotheek) on the Hendrik Conscience Plein, there is a wonderful statue of Hendrik Conscience (1812-1883), the 19th century writer who taught his fellow countrymen to read. The market square, built by the catholic Jesuits in a poor quarter of the old city centre, is also named after this extremely important Flemish writer. The sole purpose of the flamboyant architecture of the square, was to impress the inhabitants and counter the growing influence of the Protestant Church which was gradually becoming more powerful at the time. This explains the decoration of the Jesuit buildings and the square itself. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sonja Musters |
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Back to the 17th century |
Keizerstraat 10-12 Antwerp 2000 Belgium +32 3 201 9250 http://www.rockoxhuis.be/ |
This is the 17th century patrician house of Nicolaas Rockox (1560-1640), mayor of Antwerp and very good friend of Pieter Paul Rubens. It's a protected monument that recalls the splendid times of the 17th century. Rockox bought the house in 1603 and made some modifications in the typical renaissance style. The house of the painter Frans Snijders (1579-1657), who worked with Rubens, is adjacent and incorporated in the Rockox house that has been completely refurbished with authentic furniture and refined decorations from the 17th century. The picture is completed with valuable paintings by the masters—Jordaens, Matsys, Rubens and Van Dijck. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Erf-goed.be |
 Photo: Erf-goed.be |
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From Warehouse to Archives |
Oude Leeuwenrui 29 Antwerp 2000 Belgium +32 3 292 9411 http://mimoa.eu/projects/Belgi... |
Sint-FelixPakhuis was formerly an old warehouse that has been restored and refurbished. The ground floor houses the library, while four floors are dedicated to archives. The attic now holds a beautiful reading room, as well as rooms for meetings and conferences with a new glass roof that allows for the maximum amount of sunlight. Sint-FelixPakhuis is a great place to relax and look through some literature or just enjoy the open, bright reading room with a book of your own. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Provincial museum and park |
Hooftvunderlei 160 Antwerp 2100 Belgium +32 3 360 5252 http://www.sterckshof.be/ |
Sterckshof is a museum and park situated just outside Antwerp in Deurne. The castle with a mote was originally built in the 14th and 15th century, and belonged to Jan Sterck. The current building was constructed from 1927 to 1929 in light red brick in neo-traditional style. From a distance it reminds you of one of those Disney fairy tale castles. Within the historical framework of the castle you can see an impressive collection of silversmith's work. When you've finished the tour you can take a relaxing walk in the beautiful park. Admission: is free. Guided tours for groups are available upon request. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Historical theatre |
Komedieplaats 19 Antwerp 2000 Belgium +32 3 224 8844 |
The Bourla Theater is a wonderful historical building dating back to 1834, and is now classified as a monument. This is indeed a splendid old-fashioned theater with sweeping balconies, so you always have a great view of the stage. The Bourla is now the permanent venue for the Youth Theater of Antwerp; the Royal Dutch Theater group also plays here. Information is available from Ticket Antwerpen. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: ludovico2006 |
 Photo: Gebba |
 Photo: Bart Huylebroeck |
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Flamboyant structure |
Grote Markt Antwerp, Antwerp 2000 Belgium +32 3 221 1333 / +32 3 232 0103 (Tourist Information Center) |
This majestic building, designed by Cornelis Floris, signifies the new status of the city. The design reflects a fusion of Flemish and Italian Renaissance architecture. This symmetrical structure has a beautiful, wide façade and a broad roof, which emphasizes its shape. The 184 feet center pavilion is done up in five levels of stunning columns and sculptures. Most of the beautiful interiors were destroyed during a fire. What is visible now, including the paintings by Hendrik Leys, are parts of the 1882 restoration plan. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: cmayes |
 Photo: Mark Sun |
 Photo: Oisín Share |
 Photo: Ronny Hermans |
 Photo: David Guibal |
 Photo: Lefty_G |
 Photo: Andrea L. Emrick |
 Photo: Philip Van de Vondel |
 Photo: Jana Ulrich |
 Photo: emil-foto |
 Photo: Jennifer A Davids |
 Photo: Emma Braun |
 Photo: Rahul Ruikar |
 Photo: Bill Phelps |
 Photo: juliangeezer |
 Photo: Yuko Toyonaga |
 Photo: Jan Van Winkel |