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


Antwerp Travel Guide: 3,342 reviews and 6,432 photos

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

Pros and Cons
  • 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!!
  • Last visit to Antwerp: Jun 2004
  • Intro Updated Feb 16, 2007
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (19)

Comments (6)

Post a Comment   Submit Comment  
  • happykatie Dec 15, 2004 at 5:49 PM Report Abuse

    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's Profile Photo
    conny_bazen Jul 4, 2004 at 1:10 PM Report Abuse

    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's Profile Photo
    irisbe Jul 3, 2004 at 6:36 AM Report Abuse

    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's Profile Photo
    Luchonda Jul 3, 2004 at 6:31 AM Report Abuse

    I love this escalator - the only place in Antwerp without trafic jams ! greets from gent

  • Echo_29 Jun 30, 2004 at 5:42 PM Report Abuse

    KenBel: Excellent start and very nice architecture page!

  • Helga67's Profile Photo
    Helga67 Jun 27, 2004 at 3:32 AM Report Abuse

    Excellent restaurant tips. I know them all except for Funky Soul Potato. Should try that one out.

KenBel Lives Here!

KenBel

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

Online Now

Male

Top 10,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 6 4 9 8

Badges & Stats in Antwerp

  • 19 Reviews
  • 48 Photos
  • 2 Forum posts
  • 6 Comments
  • 2,907PageViews

Have you been to Antwerp?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Antwerp

Friends

See All Friends (1)

Latest Antwerp hotel reviews

Novotel Noord
25 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 21, 2012
Radisson Blu Park Lane Hotel Antwerp
81 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2012
abhostel
8 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 1, 2012
Ramada Plaza Antwerp
81 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2012
Huis Ergo
3 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 10, 2010
Dennenhof Motel
6 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 13, 2012
Nh Docklands Antwerp
24 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2012
Het Singelhuis
3 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2012
Jeugdherberg Op Sinjoorke
2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 24, 2010
Schoonbaert Guesthouse Isabella
1 Review & Opinion
Latest: Jan 18, 2010
Hotel Tourist
47 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2012
Le Sud Hotel
2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 1, 2012
Rubenshof
34 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 23, 2012
Backpackers Hostel de Heksenketel
2 Reviews & Opinions