Join me for a stroll in Antwerp
By Inlemay
@Inlemay (17714)
South Africa
May 29, 2016 5:44pm CST
Our travels to Europe have stayed etched in our minds, and there isnt a day that goes by that we dont remember a small thing, smell, taste that reminds of a glorious holiday we had there.
Its a wonderful privileged to be able to travel and the best part is to savior moments and capture all the sights through the camera lens for future reference. On our arrival back home, my daughter put together an ensemble of 2000 photos in a special music video or slide show for me, so that i can watch it whenever I feel a little "home sick" for my travels.
Tonight a little meander in Antwerp which is an "international port city on Belgium’s River Scheldt, with history dating to the Middle Ages. In its center, the centuries-old Diamond District houses thousands of traders, cutters and polishers. Its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, founded in 1663, is today a well-known European fashion academy, where the local designers the Antwerp Six made the city a hotbed for the 1980s avant-garde."
The new MAS Museum was one of our highlights as it featured all the artists, past and future in the region, on a later visit we got to see all the 100 year commemorative photos the WWII on display. On the walls of the museum you will find little silver hands - they are unique to Antwerp due to the History behind the story of the young hero named Silvius Brabo who killed the giant.
Meandering down the promenade of the Scheldt River is an afternoon's delight. The Fortress Het Steen is a stunning example of the beautiful buildings still standing in Belgium. Coffee rooms are everywhere and there is never a shortage of great places to just sit and watch the passersby. In the Main square, or Grote Markt as they call it, you will find a statue of the young hero tossing the giants hand into the river. On this square you see the great detailed architecture that still remains in Antwerp. Each building finished off very ornately with gold statues atop. The streets are very walkable and before you know it hours have passed and you have arrived at the The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of our Lady) - Today it holds the four works by Rubens, "The Descent from the Cross", "The Elevation of the Cross", "The Resurrection of Christ" and "The Assumption". They are priceless and huge to the eye which was very impressive to me. The cathedral is magnificent and a must to see if you are visiting Antwerp. The statue of the hand lies openly in the street, another reminder of how it got its name and heritage. The Antwerp Bourla Theatre is just another beautiful building to see, still hosting ballets and other opera's while the indulgence of a High Tea's is possible on certain days.
Buses and trams take you everywhere you want to go, its even easier if you have a bicycle. The finest example of Architecture has to be the Station.
Central Station designed by Louis Delacenserie that was completed in 1905. It has two monumental neo-baroque façades, a large metal and glass dome and a gilt and marble interior, it is breathtaking and I marvel at it every time I catch a train.
In 2009, more than 200 dancers were performing their version of The Sound of Music "Do Re Mi", FLASHMOB in the Central Station of Antwerp. If you haven't seen it yet, go to Youtube and have a look.
There are many other features to entertain you on a visit to Antwerp, but the things that will mesmerize you the most are the stunning structures.
Dont forget to have a Belgium waffle - they are decadent!
I hope you enjoyed the stroll through Antwerp with me, I loved sharing it with you.
6 people like this
7 responses
@silvermist (19706)
• India
31 May 16
Thanks for sharing this video.Very impressive.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
30 May 16
the name made me giggle, lovely area though, and now i want a waffle
1 person likes this