"Antwerpen, diamant on the Schelde" Antwerp by Pavlik_NL

Antwerp Travel Guide: 2,853 reviews and 7,112 photos

The harbour of Flaners and Belgium ...

Antwerp(en), a large town and the gateway (for ships at least) to Belgium. The town has a long history in which is steadily grew to the booming business town of today. The harbour is the engine of the economical motor of the whole of Flandres and a lively nightlive draws many (not that beloved) Dutch to Antwerpen. A centre of trade, but also a cultural centre of the world. On top of that list is Peter Paul Rubens. Finally, also in relgious sense, Antwerpen did have some importance, which definately can be seen, when one stand in front of the cathedral.

... the world's diamant centre ...

Now-a-days the city has won the diamant-battle with Amsterdam. Earlier in the Dutch capitol, the majority of all world's diamant were cut and made to the colourful jewels. Now it's in Antwerp, but both places together hold a stunning 95% of global diamant-cutting. At many workshops you can follow the proces and maybe spend a lot of money on the ring you always wanted to buy. It's worth it, because you know that "diamants are forever".

Antwerpen is also a wonderful shoppingtown and especially the markets are colourful and divers. The "Vogeltjesmarkt" (= birdsmarket) is a choatic but very cosy place to buy that crazy item that you always wanted but never could find. The town has many good restaurants to - after your bags are filled with many things - relax and spoil your taste with delicious Bourgondian food.

and a town of legends and stories.

At the harbour of Antwerpen is another significant building from the cities past: "het Steen" (litterally translated "the Stone"). This medieval castle holds now the very intresting Nautical Museum. In front a statue of another legendary person from Antwerp's past: Lange Wapper. The town has many legends and in the many little bookstores in town you can hear or read all about them. But ... see my tips and know some more about this most thrilling of Flanders towns.

  • Last visit to Antwerp: Jan 2003
  • Intro Updated Nov 2, 2003
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Reviews (67)

Comments (17)

  • Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Feb 11, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    An interesting page from ten years ago. Have you been back to Antwerp since then?

    • Pavlik_NL's Profile Photo
      Feb 11, 2013 at 7:25 AM

      Vielen Dank fuer dein Besuch, Don. I indeed still come to Antwerpen almost every year, but I lack time to update the pages (numerous are waiting for my retirement, I guess). Gruss!

  • dickkingma's Profile Photo
    Feb 26, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Veel waardering voor uw informatie over Antwerpen. Heb er goed gebruik van gemaakt. Nogmaals mijn dank. Dick

  • nora_south_africa's Profile Photo
    Apr 19, 2008 at 2:02 AM

    a wonderful page!

  • Riverview's Profile Photo
    Sep 8, 2007 at 6:30 PM

    I absolutely agree.

  • globetrekker_airen's Profile Photo
    Mar 18, 2007 at 2:54 PM

    may i know where in antwerpcan we find the monument for Nello and Patrasche? thanks:)

  • VeronicaG's Profile Photo
    May 27, 2006 at 6:13 AM

    Lovely tour of Antwerp--the diamond district beckons me!!

  • Mar 18, 2006 at 2:56 PM

    It was great browsing your page before my visit in April. Thank you for this excellent site !! :))

  • Pablos_new's Profile Photo
    Sep 26, 2004 at 12:29 PM

    So many good pix! It is hard to look through all... I'll be back :)

  • yooperprof's Profile Photo
    Dec 26, 2003 at 4:57 AM

    Antwerp is a great place to learn the joys of "the Burgundian way of life."

  • tvdm's Profile Photo
    Dec 26, 2003 at 4:47 AM

    Geweldige pagina! Antwerpen is een supercoole stad en dat komt duidelijk naar voren hier!

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