Rubens House (Rubenshuis), Antwerp

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

...by a selection of eateries and post-card shops and other essential establishments. There isn't a plethora of tourist shops in the city, and those few that do exist stock pretty much the same things at the same prices, so there's no real need to shop around unless that's something you enjoy doing. Though it's suposedly the city of diamonds it's possible to spend several days there without seeing any of the sparkly things unless you keep your eyes peeled, and just because so many of them pass through the city doesn't mean you'll get them cheap. Off Meir a little way is Rubenshuis where Rubens lived and painted for the last years of his life from 1610 to 1640. He's one of the city's most well-known exports and as such a great deal of work has gone into restoring his house into its former grandeur. Entrance fees reflect those of many other art galleries... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very 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: It's close, it's charms are well known
Disadvantages: It's confusing

...in Antwerp and with the proceeds of his work he built a large house on Wapper Street where he lived and worked for the last thirty years of his life and exhibited much of his work. He also laid out the formal gardens and outside pavilion which was an oasis of calm in the midst of city life. Over the thirty years, the property has been fully restored and some of Rubens original works have been acquired for display. The studio has been set up as a replica of how Rubens would have worked on paintings in his time. It is interesting to learn that he would have described the work and prepared initial sketches. He would then have left the completion of the masterpiece to specialist painters and apprentices. Of note is the gallery – a semicircular room with a domed roof modelled on the Pantheon in Rome – where a number of marble busts are on display... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful