ANTWERP SIGHTS

One of the most beautiful cities of the Benelux countries enjoying special love of tourists — Antwerp which sights should be seen to each developed person. The city stands on two banks of the river of Scheldt and is one of the largest seaports of the world in Europe. On local folklore the name of the city has an interesting story of an origin — from a legend of the giant charging a fee for overcoming of the river. The giant cruelly punished those who abandoned his claims, chopped off hands and threw out in water. As a result of a giant his weapon the famous Roman soldier Brabo won. The name of the city turned out quite blood-thirsty: in translation from Netherlands, "hand werpen" — "to throw a hand".

Historical information

There is no exact date of emergence of the city, but the first mentions meet not earlier than the 7th century. And here in the 15th century in the territory of Antwerp practically all foreign merchant missions concentrated that spoke about a certain status. Economic recession happened at the time of the Netherlands revolution when Antwerp was left for Spaniards and closed navigation across Scheldt. Trade activity of the city it was given fat up as a bad job. But with coming to power of Napoleon the situation exchanged and in 1803 the city became the military port containing all fleet of the emperor.

museum of fine arts

In 1834 definition of frontier of Belgium took place and Antwerp at last finally was its part. Since then rather peaceful existence of the city whose beauty so differ from extravagant sights of Amsterdam began. Tourists sincerely love this corner of Europe and not least because all sights settle down in the center, within step availability here.

The sights which are not losing the greatness

The most considerable in the city the Royal museum of fine arts which was located in the building of the 19th century is considered. Here more than seven thousand magnificent exhibits from the 14th to the 20th century are collected: pictures, sculptures and engravings. A highlight for tourists is the hugest collection of works of the Belgian artist James Ensor and a collection of works of the sculptor Ric Vauters. After visit of the museum it is possible to go to the Cathedral which is deservedly called architecture top. It was very long built to this day it is considered unfinished.

According to the plan it had to be the most beautiful and high building of Gothic style. The main shrine of a cathedral — a bronze tomb of Isabella De Bourbon, but also there are two bodies which remained since the French occupation. And here for the first time Antwerpen which visited the city, sometimes know about it only in reference books and seek to see the House of Rubens who was the most famous citizen. In the city reminds a lot of things of this person, for example, a monument to Grunplaats, cloths in churches and the museums. Rubens's house as if absorbed the atmosphere of baroque and transfers whiff of times.

Rubens's house

Walks on the city: what can be visited in 1 day?

Among sights of Antwerp it is possible to choose, and no obligatory program is provided. What territory you will be able to capture in 1 day? All museums and cathedrals? And, maybe, places of the most favorable shopping? To choose everyone is free, but tourists most often begin excursions with the triangular Grote Square Markt filled with small restaurants and cafe. Here the cathedral and the City town hall so walk will be saturated settles down. In the Town hall there is a Hall of weddings with the magnificent frescos representing ceremonies of different times. In the north of the area Houses of guilds tower or the original copy as the most part burned down in 1576 is more right than them. The biggest house — Spanish with images of dragons and Saint Joris.

triangular Grote Square Markt

If you visit Antwerp where there is a most part of monuments of architecture it is not necessary to specify, not so big city. The legend of the name of the city is remembered also at the sight of the fountain on Grote Markt that it is based in honor of the soldier Sylvius Brabo. Children will remain delighted with visit of a local zoo. The posters executed in comic style raise a smile on faces irrespective of age. The Antwerp zoo, by the way, too settled down in the center, and he is more than 170 years old. The house in the territory was found by 770 kinds of animals. Here tourists will find not only entertainment, but also will be able to take part in scientific mission for preservation of genetic fund of the animals disappearing a look. In a zoo it was succeeded to keep a Congolese peacock, okap, lion's to the tamarin, a mountain pacu, the Mexican small macaw, Guinean turako and a brown signature stamp.

Antwerp zoo

From food spiritual to corporal

After the whole day in walks brutal appetite is played, but also here tourists should suffer with the choice, the variety of gastronomic institutions is available.

The Da Giovanni restaurant which differs in the refined menu and an elegant situation will be suitable for adherents of Italian cuisine. Even music is thought over to trifles here.

Among locals the restaurant of international kitchen Kommilfoo offering house specialties from a goose liver and fillet of a duck is popular.

Attracts style of the Wild West? Then it is worth visiting Pablos Tex Mex restaurant with excellent delicacies. In particular, you are waited by the Mexican maisovy flat cakes and exotic cocktails. Gourmets will not resist from visit of this institution.

It is possible to have dinner on an open terrace in the summer at Pottenbrug restaurant where give dishes of the French and Belgian cuisine.

For fans of the budgetary menu the restaurant of Italian cuisine Spaghettiworld where it is more than twenty kinds of some spaghetti and sauce, and on reasonable prices will be the good choice. Generally here students and tourists eat.

And here couples in love prefer La Riva restaurant with its small little tables and the eclectic menu.

Here it is so possible to take a walk in this strange small town of Europe that is on a joint of the French and Belgian culture. Gastronomic sights of Antwerp attract gourmets from around the world and as it is possible to find an institution in any price category, there will be no rigid disappointments for tourists. The following the inquisitive tourist can visit Strasbourg which sights also absorbed mixture of cultures.