Internationaal Zeemanshuis, Antwerp

Advantages: beer
Disadvantages: sad in winter

...Until the 15th century Antwerp was a minor city in Belgium. It was only when its port begun to take more and more of the market share of its competitor Bruges, that Antwerp became a rich city. Some of the merchant based here soon became very rich and did not hesitate in spending money on their residences. The Baroque buildings, together with the tapestries and paintings, which can be seen today, remind us of this glorious past. I only visited one art museum, while there, the “Royal Museum of Fine Arts” in Leopold de Waelplaats 1-9, bang in the middle of the town. I would recommend a visit to it, as a way of getting a good overview on the heritage of Antwerp. However, everyone seems to agree that the finest monument in Antwerp is the Gothic cathedral of Our Lady. Do not miss the “Flemish Renaissance... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some lovely buildings
Disadvantages: Traffic can be "fun"

...I do like Antwerp. It is one of the finest places to spend a Sunday morning - at the excellent market in the City Centre. Amongst the more obvious sites the Art Gallery is to be recommended. I like the audio tour. On the less popular side, the Modern Sculpture Park on the edge of the city has some rather strange creations. The one involving scrap cars is particularly memorable. I also enjoyed the boat trip. You can go around the docks. Antwerp cathedral is also well worth a visit, it contains painting by Rubens.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some interesting, unique and very unsual places to see and venture into
Disadvantages: Not a major city for things to see and do

...Antwerp allegedly gets its name from a legend in which a mythical giant, Antigonius, decided that he was going to enforce a toll on those who wanted to cross the river Scheldt and appointed himself collector of said toll. Anyone who was sily enough to refuse to pay in cash paid instead with their bodies as Antigonius would then chop off one of their hands and throw it in the river. "Hand werpen" (hand-throwing) morphed over time into "Antwerp". This isn't the only theory - another one says the name originates from "an t werf" (on the wharf) - but it's certainly the most entertaining one, and one of the first things we spotted when arriving in Antwerp was the huge fountain in the Grote Markt of Silvius Brabo, the soldier who aledgedly deafeated Antigonius, victoriously throwing the giant's own severed hand. The Grote Markt is a good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful