BELGIUM - CITIES :
Brussels -
Bruges -
Ghent -
Antwerp -
Liège
ANTWERP
Antwerp, daughter of the
River Scheldt and second largest city of Belgium.. The 500.000
inhabitants call it the 'Metropolis' (Antwerpians are known in Belgium
for not being too modest). This city has so many different facets that
it takes a while before one gets to know it thoroughly.
It is the second largest harbor of Europe (after Rotterdam). Moreover,
Antwerp is a splendid city with numerous architectural highlights, most
of which date from the 16th (the golden era of Antwerp) and the 17th
century. The destructions of the Second World War, unfortunately, has
scarred somehow the fair face of the old town. Still there are enough
monuments left for those who like monument-hopping to spend a few days
admiring them. The past is also represented by the numerous paintings of
Peter Paul Rubens who lived in the Antwerp of the early 17th century.
Antwerp, however, does not only live from the past. Nowadays, Antwerp
has earned a place among the fashion cities of the world thanks to the
efforts of numerous young Flemish fashion designers ( e.g.: Walter Van
Beirendonck, Nadine Wynants, Ann De Meulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Kaat
Tilley and others). Visit the fashion area of Antwerp near the Meir
shopping street.
Antwerp, the diamond center of the World. If diamonds really are a
girl's best friend, than a lot of ladies will not leave out a visit to
the diamond district around the Railway Station. This area is also the
Jewish part of the city. The presence of many 'Chassidic' Jewish people
gives the city a flair that cannot be found in other Belgian cities.
The Sinjoren of Antwerp.
'Sinjoren' is the name that is sometimes used for the Antwerpians. It is
not a nickname. Antwerpians are proud to be called 'Sinjoren'. The word
is clearly derived from the Spanish word 'Senor', and refers to the
leading Spanish noble-men who ruled the city during the 17th century.
Not everyone may call himself 'Sinjoor'. You must have been born in the
medieval center of Antwerp, and also your father and grand-father must
have been born there.
