Visit to Antwerp

18 November 2006

Antwerp is another one of the major cities in Belgium, it lies north to Brussels, and has a "rich" culture too...

Antwerp is famous for its diamond industry and trading at its port, that's why the city has rich communities...even its central station looks more decent than Brussels' one...


This is the main shopping street, which starts right at the exit of the station and leads on all the way to the port. Easy to shop, just one street ;-)

Part of how the city's skyline...


Brabo statue in Grote Markt: Legend has it that long ago the River Scheldt was in the hands of Antigoon, a giant who demanded heavy tolls from passing ships. A Roman soldier, Silvius Brabo, slay the greedy giant by chopping off his big hand and throwing it into the river. Hence the name Hantwerpen or 'hand throwing'. The ‘hand’ has become the unofficial symbol of Antwerp and can be found as a bronze fountain in front of the town hall or sprinkled through out the city in various forms...


Part of the houses that lines all around the Grand Place...
The Grand Place (aka Grote Markt) of Antwerp, I still think Brussels' one is the "grandest"...

The Antwerp port, which is the second largest in Europe, is largely responsible for the city's prosperous and cosmopolitan character.

Cathedral of Our Lady

Happened to come across this cozy-looking little house...the doggie, the flowers, tables and chairs...