Antwerp Things to Do Tips by Norali Top 5 Page for this destination

Ruben's house Rubenshouse Review

Since I haven't visited it yet, I wouldn't elaborate that much about it.

Something I would like to say about the setting: why Antwerp authorities allowed the building of the "plastic box" across Rubenshuis ? Hopefully, the inner court and garden are interesting.. and, supposedly, the "content" of the house. :)

For 2004, you have this going one: from March to June 13, an exhibition on Ruben's collection. Rubens2004 is an important year. Also, Lille, 2004's European Cultural Capital city, takes part in the Rubens2004 project.

Not only Lille but also Antwerp's Royal Museum of Fine Arts and Plantin Moretus Museum.
Check hereafter website to know about current exhibition (and also past ones):
http://museum.antwerpen.be/rubenshuis/index_eng.html

Address: Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: Side street of the shopping street Meir

Phone: + 32 (0)3-201 15 55

Fine arts museum KMSKA Royal Museum of Fine Arts Review

Still long for visiting it.

The building is impressive. In fact, it is huge... really huge. At first, I was impressed by the immensity. Plus, from where I stood (I was walking on Leopold de waelstraat), I had perspectives that enabled me to see it from many angles... and I saw the big big big building, not only the facade.

There, I had confirmation it was meant to be a temple... a temple of arts. Facade is decorated with Corinthian columns and adorned by two statues, depicting a teams of horses in copper.

Its construction was part of a plan, in 1875, to develop a new 't Zuid neighborhood of Antwerp. Once it was approved by the city council, a competition, in 1878, was organized to design a new Art Museum in the middle of this neighborhood. It meant to replace the old museum, that was located North of Antwerp and that was destroyed by a fire. As a result of the competition: a Belgian compromise. Jan Jacob Winders, an Antwerpian architect took charge of the most of the exterior design whilst Hendrik Frans Van Dijk had to deal with the interior design.

The works started in 1884, on the land where had stood an old Spanish Castle, and ended in 1890.

I haven't seen yet the permanent collection of paintings from the 14th century onwards.
Antwerp's most important painters - Rubens, Van Dijck and Jordaens - make up an important part of it.

Address: Plaatsnijdersstraat 2, 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: entrance at: Leopold de Waelplaats

Phone: + 32 (0)3-238 78 09

Louise-Marie: The smallest, not the ugliest Groenplaats - Green Square Review

Here I was this morning watching a Tv program on home design, interiors. For some reason, I've been aware, these weeks, that this French TV on the cable sometimes airs programs produced by RTL-TVI (Belgian, French-speaking media group). Off course, something Belgian uses to tick my interest, esp. if it's about Belgian food, home design, interiors, fashion... So, it has become with great expectation that I wait for this program. Most often, if it's Belgian, I'd stick to the canal, else I may wait for awhile to see whether it really interests me, select and switch canal if needed. lol
Today, amongst other subjects, they introduced the smallest house in Antwerp. They talked about some odd dimension: 2.6m width and showed the small facade. Already, I was curious about how to fit in there, how they did. Then, the visit of the interior. Gosh! Charming! Seen on my screen, it didn't seem that small. Mostly, it was wonderfully restaured and furbished. Romantic with varying theme for each bedroom (4 in total!).

The "human-size dollhouse", as it was dubbed, bearing the name of Louise-Marie (spouse of a French King), its owner explained it had to live up to its... name. No wonder they favoured rich velvet on some furniture, pastel shades, great attention to details like Lys motives on materials. Romantic but not too much. Hate it when a house interior is too of a style. Here, it was elegant, balanced and made to fit the narrowness without conveying claustrophobia. I was even more impressed when, at the end of the program, the presenter listed 90 sq.m spread over 4 storeys with 4 bedrooms, one living-room, 1 bathroom (classic and refined, from I could see) and 1 kitchen. Didn't know whether it's open for visit. Didn't know the exact location, except that it is off Groenplaats.

Last resort: the net. There, I saw the address I post below and other info. The pic you see of the dining table doesn't make justice to Louise-Marie, imho. The bedrooms are wow!
Most important, it is a Holiday Home (from Antwerpen city website), so it doesn't matter whether it is open for visit or not, one thing is sure, you could rent it & stay there during your visit to the city. A big advantage: its location in the heart of the city.

Address: Ijzeren Waag 7 - 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: Off Groenplaats, Antwerpen

Other Contact: louise-marie@freegates.be

Phone: +32 (0)476 906 528

Website: http://www.antwerpen.be/eCache/BEN/16/394.cmVjPTYxODk.html

A digestive walk along the Schelde, Left Bank

In summer 2004, my parents and I visited Antwerp. Not their first time, neither mine but it was the first time we set foot on the Left bank.

Our morning was dedicated to some strolling around the city (Right Bank), shopping for antiques. After a good meal in one of the many restaurants in the city, we decided to make it to Sint-Anna strand to attend an open-air exhibition. The aim was to attend the exhibition but the digestive walk was quite nice.

At first, we crossed Sint-Anna pedestrian tunnel. It was cold under there. Then, we walked along the Schelde. It gave a perspective of the city (spot the tour of the OLV on my picture). Also, it was very pleasant to walk in those small green paths. Just before reaching Sint-Anna strand, we found out this green park, quite crowdy. Then, as we got closer to the exhibition place, there were those restaurants, pubs facing the bank. Just across the Schelde, there was the petroleum industrial park (and plants!).

Of course, we were not the only persons to reach the place. I saw a report on the exhibition and the pieces of work on our TVnews. The pieces of artwork were articulated structure (namely animal-skeleton shaped structure) that would move with the action of wind. It was crowdy but not windy. We saw a bit of the exhibition since none of the pieces has moved. A bit of disappointment for me. My parents didn't expect anything but enjoyed their walk.

After the walk, we took a bus that drove us to the Right bank. There, it was easy to reach the Antwerp Central station.

Directions: cross Sint-Anna pedestrian tunnel and walk along the Schelde...

When fashion goes religious... Saint Andrews Church - Sint Andries Kerk Review

Find this Virgin Mary statue in Sint Andrieskerk... Up to now, not unusual at all, you may say... Can relate that.

In fact, her gown was designed by Ann Demeulemesteer, one of "The Six of Antwerp". The Six designers, who cleared Belgian fashion designers' way to fame. They all came from Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

This piece of art is one of hidden treasures you would find in this discreet, modest and less known Antwerpian church.

Worth noticing: Ann Demeulemesteer is the only woman of the Six...

Address: St.-Andriesstraat 5, B-2000 Antwerp

Directions: Public transport
by train: central station
Tram: 2, 3, 15 (Groenplaats); 4 (Th. Van Rijswijckplaats); 8 (Kammenstraat)
Bus: 6, 34 (Sint-Jansvliet); 18, 25, 26 (Th. Van Rijswijckplaats

Phone: 03 - 231 03 84

Guild houses.. details Guildhouses Review

The guildhouses are numerous on Antwerp's Grote Markt.

They were a lot simpler compared to the ones in Brussels. I remember having spent some hours on Brussels Grand-Place just staring at five (5) guildhouses. Isn't that weird?

Yet, when you pay attention, those guildhouses in Antwerp have some interesting details, unusually adorned gables.

My impression of this square is immensity. Its design is such that it is not squarely shaped (as far as I remember it). It is more widened at some parts. I felt less the feeling of a closed square than on Brussels Grand-Place, for instance. On Grand-Place, I always have the feeling of being locked in a really defined area.

Antwerp's Grote Markt is more "open"... if I may say so.

That doesn't make it less interesting, of course ! It's just different from the "closed" square of Brussels or the one in Leuven.

Address: Grote Markt

Directions: between the Cathedral and the river Schelde

St Andrieskerk Saint Andrews Church - Sint Andries Kerk Review

Do not overlook the least known of Antwerp churches.

Yes, this is the church of people of modest conditions, the "Parish of Misery"... and the only church I visited up to now in Antwerp. I will return.

Sint Andrieskwartier is the area where Hendrik Conscience was born (XIX century). He saw the light of day amongst the lace-making folk. The first author who wrote in Flemish was very prolific. He is said "to have taught Flemish people to read". Given his backgrounds, one can easily guess some dark, moralistic and romantic touch in him.

This house of prayer was founded by the Augustinian fathers in early 16th century. There was still a lot to do when they were ousted for having displayed sympathy for protestant Martin Luther. Margaret of Austria did not wish to see the work that was already carried out go to waste. So, the building was used as a parish church.

Recognition for her made the parish adopt the patron saint of the House of Burgundy, St. Andrew. Hence the gilded figure of him on top of the tower.

In 1566, Calvinist iconoclasts wreaked destruction. The patron saint had resisted wind and rain but could not tackle this storm of Protestantism... In 1585, the church was returned to Catholics. Then, rebuilt and enlarged.

In 1755, the crumbling tower collapsed. It was replaced by a baroque edition with an open (wooden) lantern.

Refurbishment after French rule was quick partly because a number of artworks were brought from elsewhere. New pieces: the baroque high altar that originated from the former Cistercian Abbey of St. Bernard in Hemiksem and the neo-baroque pulpit.

In 1962, the once-again crumbling tower was taken down. Thus, a more solid version was erected.

Afterwards, some restoration was undertaken so that visitors can enjoy the artwork in a beautiful setting... and quiet atmosphere

I saw there some eclectical interior setting: woodcurving, iron-stained glass, impressive embroidery... and a gown designed by Ann Demeulemesteer, on Virgin Mary.

Some pictures would be in an upcoming Tlog.

Address: St.-Andriesstraat 5, B-2000 Antwerp

Directions: Public transport
by train: central station
by tram: 2, 3, 15 (Groenplaats); 4 (Th. Van Rijswijckplaats); 8 (Kammenstraat)
by bus: 6, 34 (Sint-Jansvliet); 18, 25, 26 (Th. Van Rijswijckplaats

Phone: 03 - 231 03 84

Website: http://www.topa.be

Groenplaats Groenplaats - Green Square Review

This is the "other" place in Antwerp, the first being the "Grote markt", of course.

Groenplaats means Green Square. It is a car-free place. Though in the past, it used to be a parking lot. Lately, an underground parking has been built and Groenplaats recovered its charm of good old times.

The place has known several functions. Dominated by Onze Lieve Vrouw cathedral, it even housed the cemetery of the cathedral in medieval times.

I also read that Groenplaats had different names, depending on ruling country. In Napoleon time, it was baptized “Place Bonaparte” (of course!). Besides, Napoleon is reported to have it rearranged by planting tile trees... hence the then future name of "Groenplaats"? No, I think that it is more due to its function of cemetary place in murky depth of times...

So what on there?

As I said earlier, Onze Lieve Vrouw cathedral... trees... pubs with terraces... the Hilton hotel... and a statue of famous painter Peter Paul Rubens.

On spring and summer, terraces are packed with both locals and tourists, sipping beer, watching passers-by, local fauna.

In the middle of the Groenplaats is the statue of Rubens, the famous painter. It was made in 1840 by sculptor Willem Geefs. I read it was to commemorate 200th anniversary of the death of Rubens.

The Hilton hotel has a classified façade and a majestic dome. The building used to house the old department store Grand Bazar who had to close its doors in July 1990.

Local fauna... The Groenplaats has always been, especially in summer, the place to chat. Punks are lying at the foot of the Rubens statue while the elderly, sitting on the new benches discuss.

Bourla theater Bourla Theater & Lounge Review

Bourla theatre used to be named “Theatre Royal Francais” and was namely designed for the French-speaking bourgeoisie of Antwerp. This was following its building by Pierre Bruno Bourla. Works had been from 1829 to 1834.

Worth noticing: the whole area is designed for performance arts since it abonds in theaters. It's not by chance that Bourla stands on the Comedieplaats... and that the area was nicknamed Antwerp "Quartier Latin", meaning a haven of bohemian intellectualism. This was the place where to socialize in the evening, to see and to be seen.

Since 1938, Bourla theatre is classified as monument.

Early 1980's, it was almost demolished when Bob Cools, then Antwerp mayor, rejected the idea of real estate promoters to tear premices down... and build parking lots instead (!). Works started in 1980. Five years of refurbishing works and admire this wonderful building.

At its entry, a little peristyle for carriages. It aimed at allowing carriages to "deliver" beautiful people... Thus, prevent ladies from having their clothes soaking wet when it rains.

When visiting the building, don't limit yourself to outside architecture. Go inside to admire setting. De Foyer, a Viennese café at second-floor is worth a glance. See following tips to know more of De Foyer.

The main activity is theater, of course, and it still houses performances.

Address: Komedieplaats 18, 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: Theatre district, at 2 minutes of the Vogeltjesmarkt (Bird's market)

Walk through the city! Walking Review

For a first visit, I would recommend walking through the city.

To see more than the Meir and diamonds. Monuments, museums, designers workshops, stylish buildings and townhouses. Even Antwerp deserted areas are surprisingly worth a glance. See my Tlogs and Off the beaten path tips.

To shop in boutiques that are housed in stylish premices that, at least, kept their initial façades. Fashionistas, spot designers workshops and boutiques.

Generally, your walk would start from Antwerpen- Centraal station. To join the city center (Groenplaats), you will have to go through busy streets, packed with shops, cafés, hotels. They include the Meir, of course. At the left of this large artery, find a place with terraces. Go through it and you will find Rubens' house and Wapper area. Your walk is likely to continue from there.

To marvel at beautiful monuments as Bourla theater, the Carolus Borromeus Church and Royal Academy of Fine arts.

To sip beer and have a good time at De Foyer, in waterfront terraces, round Groenplaats. I found the Graanmarkt tempting too.

To get to know more of locals by learning about their past through churches history, seeing their natural environment while wandering in tiny streets and off touristy areas.

Also, don't forget to stroll along the Scheldt. Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe and the world's fourth largest.

Along waterfront, you would notice the style of buildings. It includes either details that remind of port activities (lighthouse as a tour of a building...), either the use of commonly used elements in ship building (woodlumbers plastered on walls).

And of course, don't miss the Grote Markt with, like in every Belgian city, its guilden houses around it. In Antwerp, Brabo statue with the "hand" stands quite in the middle of the square.

Add to that your city walk to the Southern part of Antwerp and you will be enchanted. Some pain in my feet (and blisters) did not allow us to go there, it would be a must though... Next time.