Antwerp

Antwerp, or Antwerpen or Anvers in French, is the second largest city in Belgium and the capital of the Flemish region. On the banks of the Schelde River, this city blends history and modernity and is famous for its magnificent architecture, rich cultural heritage and bustling port. The center of the diamond trade, Antwerp is also an important center of art and fashion. With its striking historical buildings, fascinating museums, delicious Belgian chocolates and energetic streets, there are many places to explore.

Grote Markt: This large square offers a charming atmosphere with its elegant Renaissance-style buildings and the impressive Town Hall (Stadhuis). It is particularly famous for the ornate facades of the 16th-century buildings. The Brabo Fountain in the middle of the square is decorated with a statue depicting the legend of Antwerp's founder.

The name Antwerp: According to urban legend, it means "one who lends a hand". According to legend, the giant Antigoon, who lived on the banks of the Schelde River, would collect tribute from passing ships and cut off one of the hands of those who did not pay. A young hero named Silvius Brabo killed the giant, cut off his hand and threw it into the Schelde River. The statue in the Brabo Fountain depicts this moment.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal ( Cathedral of Our Lady) and Nello & Patrasche Statue : Located on Handschoenmarkt just behind the Grote Markt, the Cathedral is home to 4 works by Rubens. The entrance fee to the cathedral, which has a Gothic architecture, is 12 Euros. Right in front of the cathedral, you can see the statue of Nello and Patrasche, designed by the artist Batist Vermeulen .

The Story of Nello and Patrasche: The main characters of the 1872 novel "A Dog of Flanders". Nello is a poor and orphaned boy living in Antwerp. One day, he finds an abandoned and injured dog, Patrasche, and adopts him. The two quickly form an inseparable friendship. An art enthusiast, Nello's biggest dream is to one day see Rubens' works and become an artist like him. Nello and Patrascje, who already have a difficult life, become even more difficult when Nello fails a painting competition and then loses his grandmother. Both are left alone and homeless. On a cold Christmas Eve, Nello and Patrasche freeze to death in front of the Cathedral of Our Lady, where Rubens' works are located. The story, which has become a symbol of unconditional friendship and loyalty, is especially famous in Japan and has been adapted into a movie many times.

Antwerp Central Train Station: This may be reason enough to see the city. The construction of the station, one of the most impressive examples of art nouveau architecture, took 10 years and was completed in 1905. In 2009, it was chosen as the world's fourth most important train station by the American Newsweek magazine. You can check out the link for the others.

MAS | Museum aan de Stroom: MAS is one of Antwerp's indispensable stops with both its architectural design and the cultural richness it offers. The museum consists of nine floors and each floor has different galleries, some of which are free.

You can enjoy a 360-degree view of Antwerp from the museum's roof terrace, where you can discover a different view on each floor.

Sint-Anna Tunnel: The tunnel that allows you to cross the Scheldt River was opened in 1933. In addition to its historical atmosphere, its wooden escalators attract attention. The tunnel, which is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, is approximately 572 meters long.

Havenhuis : Located in the Eilandje district of Antwerp, this building was designed by architect Zaha Hadid. It has been home to the five hundred employees of the Antwerp Port Authority since 2016. The square in front of the Port Building has been called Zaha Hadid Square since September 2016. The project is based on the restoration of an old fire station and the design of a new extension.

Meir : Antwerp's liveliest and most famous shopping street, Meir is located in the very center of the city. This wide and lively street is full of elegant 19th century buildings and stores of international brands that line the street.

One of the most striking structures in Meir is the Stadsfeestzaal shopping centre, which was heavily damaged and rebuilt during World War II. The building, which is so elegant that it would not come to mind when you think of a shopping centre, offers a break from shopping and a look with its impressive interior decoration.

Spoor Noord Park Bridge : The bridge opened in 2016 and has been used by pedestrians and cyclists since then. The bridge was awarded in 2017 for its originality and aesthetics in its design.

Het Steen : This structure, which is a mixture of a castle and a chateau, was built in the 1300s. At its entrance, there is a statue of a giant stopping those who try to pass. Today, it serves as a tourist information center.

Diamond Quarter : Antwerp is the city where most of the world's pure diamonds are processed and polished. This section is entirely dedicated to the processing, grading and sale of diamonds.

Cogels-Osylei: One of the most architecturally impressive streets in Europe. The streets surrounding Cogels-Osylei are also full of houses in similar architectural styles. Local cafes, small shops and green areas make the area even more attractive. Strolling around this area is a great opportunity to discover Antwerp's cultural heritage up close and enjoy the elegant architecture.

Transport

Velo is a system where you can rent a bike for 5 euros per day. You can rent your bike from the bike pick-up and drop-off points located on almost every corner with the password sent to your mobile phone. Since many places to visit are close to each other and Antwerp is flat, you do not need public transportation.

Our food and drink experiences

PAKT : Located just outside the city center, PAKT is a former industrial site that has been transformed into a life center with cafes and pubs. You can have a pleasant time in a cheerful atmosphere under the shade of the beautiful roof gardens.

Goossens : A patisserie that has been in service since 1885. When we went, we tried eclairs and various desserts, each one was more successful than the other.

Caffe Mundi : A cafe close to the Grote Markt, their coffee is highly recommended.

Beastie Smash : A burger joint that makes delicious smash burgers and resembles a tiny Hard Rock Cafe with its design.

# Places to visit in Antwerp