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"''Antwerp'' (ahaaah, the title is... " a Antwerp Travel Page by KenBel

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"''Antwerp'' (ahaaah, the title is... " a Antwerp Travel Page by KenBel

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KenBel   
"That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse" (W.Whitman.)


Real Name: Ken
Lives In: Antwerp, BE
Member Since: Jun 23, 2004
VT Rank: 5951

 

Page Views: 708            Last Visit to Antwerp: June, 2004      I Live Here

''Antwerp'' (ahaaah, the title is everything!! :")

by KenBel - last update: Feb 16, 2007

I've seen pages on Antwerp that are perfect for reading up on the typical attractions, so I wouldn't pretend I could do better, on the contrary!! I loved them!! ... I'm not saying my Antwerp page will be particularly original, only that what I talk about are the things that make ME love this city ... I can only hope is contagious ... Usually "my Antwerp" is a mix of typical attractions and personal preferences, like the picture : The "boerentoren" (or farmers' tower) is one of Antwerps main icons. However, I wouldn't speak of it, were it not for the poem hanging down from it. It was written by one of Antwerp's most important authors/poets/Belgian-society-critics called Tom Lanoye. It is actually the ending of the poem, a love declaration of the tower to the Cathedral standing at about a 100 ft from the "Boerentoren". If you look closely, you'll see that on top the abbreviation KBC (one of Belgium's main banks) was changed to ABC, short for Antwerp Book Capital , which is what Antwerp is in 2004. The poem was written especially for this occasion. If you want to know more about the events surrounding ABC2004, go to Antwerp Book Capital 2004 it has a French and English version!!
If you want to read the full version of the Boerentoren's love declaration, go to Antwerpen Cultuur
If you want to read more about the "Boerentoren", go to My Must See Activities for AntwerpL*
The thing I like most about Antwerp is that it is a city which offers everything a city should offer but still has a pretty "village-ish" feel to it. Metropolitan but cosy, "hustle-bustle-y" but relaxed.
All of you know Gaudí's exploits in Barcelona or the Subway entrances in Paris as main examples of modernist architecture ... However did you know Belgium housed some of the greatest modernist architects ??!! Modernist architecture is subsequently a main ingredient for every major Belgian city, I admit you'd find the most important examples in Brussels, since the main Belgian modernist, Victor Horta, lived and worked there. However in Antwerp too you'll find some fine examples of Modernist architecture, so be attentive to it!! Some of my favourite Antwerp buildings are beautifull examples of it. I will talk about them in some of my travelogues, so make sure you check them out to know where to go ...
Modernism at the Cogels Osylei
AND
Central Station and Steinerschool

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Antwerp has it All !! (don't believe me? check out Oja's page at http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/21969/ !!)"
Cons:"At the moment Antwerp is THE Belgian construction site, which makes accessing the city a little difficult. Take public transportation, it is well organized and will bring you almost anywhere in the city!!"
KenBel's Antwerp Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 5 - Photos: 5
 
Restaurants
Tips: 6 - Photos: 4
Hotels & Accommodations
 
Nightlife
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Warnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
TransportationLocal Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2

KenBel's Antwerp Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Modernism at the Cogels OsyleiJune, 2004 8
Central Station and SteinerschoolJune, 2004 6
The ScheldeJune, 2004 8
Berchem's DageraadplaatsJune, 2004 6

Comments for KenBel about Antwerp
happykatie Thu Dec 16, 2004 01:49 UTC
 Really love the page - thinking of heading back to Antwerpen soon and will be coming back here to remind myself why I'm so excited :) Thx.
conny_bazen Sun Jul 4, 2004 21:10 UTC
 Great page !! Ik zie wel dat ik nog lang niet alles gezien heb...... Gelukkig maar want des te meer redenen heb ik om steeds weer naar Antwerpen te gaan!!
irisbe Sat Jul 3, 2004 14:36 UTC
 hahaha!I would not bet on it! ;-) But I love the old escalator as well. I take most visitors down there. Good growing page Ken!
Luchonda Sat Jul 3, 2004 14:31 UTC
 I love this escalator - the only place in Antwerp without trafic jams ! greets from gent
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