Welcome to Antwerp
Welcome to Antwerp - The City of Diamonds
Situated not far from the north sea Antwerp is the biggest port of Belgium and one of the most important city. It became a well known city for its coal, club queens, for its art shows and the diamonds dealer. The 16th century was the heyday of the city and still today there are many building reminding that time. It was also the time of the baroque superstar artist Pieter Paul Rubens who lived in Antwerp. And despite many historical disaster and especially the World War II bombing the city has kept its intriguing medieval heart with its cafe-filled cobbled lanes, its riverside fortress and its impressive cathedral.
Information and fact
Night-life
There are many clubs in the docklands and in the historic centre. For example De Vagant where there is one of the 200 types of jenever, a Belgian gin. Or there is the traditional Den Engel for a bolleke (little bowl) of De Koninck (The King). There are also some jazz session in the Café Hopper situated near the Fine Arts Museum.
Shopping
Weekend Markets are held at the Theaterplein Square in front of the Stadsschouwburg theatre. The markets are known from their wide range of products offered. It is the occasion to purchase every kind of food (fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, nuts, cheese ethnic specialities) to household goods, bicycles, antiques and clothes.
Sigthseeing
Antwerp’s Cathedral
Built in 1352 it is definitely a great depiction of the Gothic architecture. It is also known as the “Cathedral of Our Lady” in Antwerp and is the largest cathedral in Benelux.
Rubens’ House
It is one of the most popular landmarks in Antwerp, Rubens’ House where Pieter Paul Rubens lived and worked.
Grote Markt - Big Market square
It is the main square of Antwerp with many guild houses originating from the 16th century. The city hall in unmissable for its renaissance style with Italian and Flemish influence.
Next to the City Hall ther is the statue of Brabo throwing away the hand of the giant Antigoon who forced everyone who wanted to cross the Schelde to pay a toll fee. Broba cut his hand off to stop him. The name of the city was given after this legend (Ant = hand, werpen = throwing).
Antwerp Harbour
Antwerp's has an amazing harbor, which operates 16,000 ships and 100 million tons of cargo every year. Most departures are from the Steen waterfront on the Scheldt.
Steen, Het/National Maritime Museum of Antwerp
It is an ancient castle from the early 1200s and medieval defenses and the remains of the city's most important trade and traffic artery.
Zoo
The Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world is one of Antwerp's most popular attractions.
Time
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +1 hour
Climate
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters.
Public transport
Antwerp has a lot of buses and tram which extends over the entire city and its surroundings.