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ANTWERP
Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium as well as
a district. It is a multifarious conurbation known as
the Metropolis by its citizens, who are approximately
half a million. Its total area is 204.51 sq. km.
An interesting legend lies behind the name of the city.
As it stood on the Scheldt River (since ancient times),
the giant Antigoon demanded a toll from everyone who
wanted to cross the river, and cut off one of their
hands if they refused. This continued until the brave
Roman soldier Brabo killed the giant by cutting off his
hand and throwing it in the Scheldt. The name Antwerpen
is said to come from Hand Werpen, which means hand-throwing
in Dutch.
Antwerp is a fabulous city with many remarkable
monuments, such as the Town Square with its Brabo statue
in the middle, the Diamond Museum, the Towering KBC Bank
structure, and other attractions. Many of its landmarks
go back to the 1500s, when the city experienced a
revival. It is saddening that most were destroyed during
WWII.
Archaeologists maintain that the city dates back to the
2nd century AD. It began as a settlement. Defensive
structures were erected in this area when Christian
influence started making itself felt in the 600s.
In the late 900s the city became a district of the Roman
Empire. It continued to expand from then on,
experiencing major economic growth in the 1300s. It
became the main site of trade in Western Europe, the
best-developed industry being wool. As it stood near the
Scheldt River, it also became a major port, which it
remains to this day in terms of shipping and oil
refineries.
It came under the auspice of Flanders Province in 1356.
It experienced a brief decline as it lost its autonomy
to a great extent. Only 50 years later it was revived;
this period preceded its Golden Age. The city flourished
in the 16th century, becoming an economic and cultural
center. Famous artists and scientists like Bruegel and
Ortelius lived in this era.
Antwerp was beset by political strife in the second half
of the century, which led to catastrophic events like
the Spanish Fury and the Fall of Antwerp in 1585. It was
conquered by Phillip II, and mass migrations ensued.
Only 40 000 citizens remained in the years that followed,
down from 100 000 thirty years earlier.
Antwerp did not recover until the 19th century. Its
economic power gradually increased from then on, despite
the disasters of WWI and WWII. It was nominated Cultural
Capital of Europe in 1993, positive proof of its
cultural eminence and status. It also hosted the Summer
Olympics in 1920.
Antwerp's historic district encompasses the Town Square
and Town Hall. A historical landmark is the Steen (Dutch
: stone), a small castle bordering the Scheldt. Its name
relates to its method of construction - with stone
instead of wood, a novelty in the age it was built. It
was a prison between 1549 and 1823 and an archaeological
museum after that. Today it is the National Museum of
Navigation.
There are a number of other interesting museums to
visit. An astounding one is the Royal Museum of Fine
Arts, which contains an art collection with works dating
from the 1300s to modern times. It features paintings of
Jan Van Eyck, Jean Fouquet, Titiaan, Peter Paul Rubens,
Frans Hals, Emile Claus and other respected artists.
Antwerp is known as the diamond center of the World,
recognition not undeserved by any means. The city stands
side by side with New York and South Africa as a major
international center of the diamond industry. Naturally
the world's biggest Diamond Museum is located here. An
audio guide is offered, inclusive of all languages, and
the staff is available to answer any questions you may
have. The museum features an exact reproduction of the
British Crown Jewel with some of the biggest diamonds in
the world. Antwerp is also a major fashion center. |
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