Antwerpen is the pleasant "City on the Scheldt". The port city with its international trade links is also the world centre for diamond processing. Culturally, Antwerpen has much to offer, particularly as the home base of painter Pieter Paul Rubens. The heart of the City on the Scheldt beats at the Grote Markt, an irregularly-shaped square, surrounded by decorative guild houses dating from the 16th and 17th century. This square is home to the statue of Brabo. According to a 16th century legend his action (throwing a hand, or in Dutch "Hand werpen") led to the city being given its name. The 15th century City Hall is a successful blend of the Flemish style and Italian Renaissance characteristics.
Antwerpen's most famous son is undoubtedly Pieter Paul Rubens. The painter and diplomat is present in many places in the city. His statue is in the Groenplaats. You can see his work in many churches and museums. The Ruben House on the Wapper, where the painter lived and worked, still exudes the grandeur of the height of the Antwerpen Baroque. In this museum, thanks to the furniture, objets d'art and works from the master's private collection, you can relive Rubens' time. In the decorative restored Rockoxhuis, Rubens has a substantial presence, together with Jordaens, Matsys and Van Dyck. Antwerpen is also a paradise for museum lovers. The Fine Arts Museum in the Zuid houses over a thousand works by the older painters, including the Flemish Primitives. In addition, you can enjoy over 1 500 more recent works. Naturally, this is where you will find the world's most beautiful and largest collection of the work of Antwerpen's great master Rubens. The Museum for Contemporary Art, shown as MUHKA for short, has a collection of mainly Belgian art from the nineteen-seventies. The National Maritime Museum is housed in the Steen, the oldest building in Antwerpen. An impressive range of ship's models and an open-air department with real ships make this museum one of the most fascinating in the city. Mayer van den Bergh Museum is dedicated to fine and applied arts, particularly from the 14th to the 16th century. Besides pictures and sculptures, you will find a unique collection of tapestries and furniture.
The Provincial Diamond Museum lies in the heart of the Diamond District, the streets behind the Central Station. This part of the city is known as the "Jerusalem of the North", because Antwerpen is the largest settlement of Orthodox Jews in this part of Europe. In the Diamond Museum, you can learn about every facet of diamonds, which have made Antwerpen the world centre of diamond cutting and trading.
The world-famous Antwerpen Zoo is close to the Central Station. The zoo is characterised by the colourful animal pavilions. Particularly attractive animal houses are the aquaria, reptile house, outdoor enclosure for elephants and the Nocturama for nocturnal animals.
Transfer ?
Antwerpen is situated ca 90 km from Bruges and can easily be reached by car over the highway E40/E17 or by train (there is very good connection between Bruges & Antwerpen leaving every hour). It is certainly worthwile to take some extra time to organise a daytrip (even half a day) to Antwerpen while staying in Bruges
