In the native language of Flemish, it’s “Antwerpen.” This city is the home of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens and also the #1 world diamond center. It is located inland on the river Scheldt, which connects it to the ocean. At one point under the rule of Napoleon, Antwerp had the 3rd largest port in the world after London and New York City. So there are cobblestone streets all over and is still a very medieval city center. It wasn’t my favorite European city, but worth seeing I guess.
In the Stadhuis (Town Hall), there was a wedding just ending when we got there.
The Grote Markt (Main Square) had little outdoor stands with tables selling some of Belgium’s finest beer and delicious bratwurst, just for Christmas. Since I didn’t make it to Germany this time, I had to treat myself! To the bratwurst that is, not the beer! The main square is lined with guildhalls, which are meeting places for a group of people in the same trade or pursuits.
This guildhall is the Vleeshuis, or Meat Hall. It is built with alternating stripes of brick and stone, which appropriately makes it look like a piece of bacon! Haha!
An old castle directly on the river which now houses the maritime museum.
The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kathedraal) was closed to the public because the Minister of State had passed away so there was a funeral. There were all kinds of police and press about. You’ll notice the funeral car (what’s it called? I’m losing my English vocabulary…) in the lower left corner. Therefore, we didn’t get to go inside. There were supposed to be some works by Rubens inside as well. Pero, bueno…
Antwerp has an interesting legend of how it got its name…There once was a fierce giant who lived on the river Scheldt. Well, he charged a toll to all the sailors to pass. To those who couldn’t pay, he cut off their hands. A Roman soldier named Silvius Brabo came along and beat the giant. Likewise, he cut off its hands and threw them into the river. The word “hantwerpen” means “hand throwing” in Flemish and so without the “h” came the name of the city…Antwerpen. So in the main square there is a statue paying tribute to Silvius Brabo, which shows him throwing the giant’s hand.
In the Stadhuis (Town Hall), there was a wedding just ending when we got there.
The Grote Markt (Main Square) had little outdoor stands with tables selling some of Belgium’s finest beer and delicious bratwurst, just for Christmas. Since I didn’t make it to Germany this time, I had to treat myself! To the bratwurst that is, not the beer! The main square is lined with guildhalls, which are meeting places for a group of people in the same trade or pursuits.
This guildhall is the Vleeshuis, or Meat Hall. It is built with alternating stripes of brick and stone, which appropriately makes it look like a piece of bacon! Haha!
An old castle directly on the river which now houses the maritime museum.
The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kathedraal) was closed to the public because the Minister of State had passed away so there was a funeral. There were all kinds of police and press about. You’ll notice the funeral car (what’s it called? I’m losing my English vocabulary…) in the lower left corner. Therefore, we didn’t get to go inside. There were supposed to be some works by Rubens inside as well. Pero, bueno…
Antwerp has an interesting legend of how it got its name…There once was a fierce giant who lived on the river Scheldt. Well, he charged a toll to all the sailors to pass. To those who couldn’t pay, he cut off their hands. A Roman soldier named Silvius Brabo came along and beat the giant. Likewise, he cut off its hands and threw them into the river. The word “hantwerpen” means “hand throwing” in Flemish and so without the “h” came the name of the city…Antwerpen. So in the main square there is a statue paying tribute to Silvius Brabo, which shows him throwing the giant’s hand.
No comments:
Post a Comment