Antwerp: sights of an ancient and illustrious city

Antwerp (Belgium) is the second city after the capital in the Flemish region, which at one time became famous as a center for cutting gems and diamonds. This reputation he "holds" to this day. Located on the two banks of the Scheldt River, the city is famous for its historical sights.

Antwerp: sightseeing of the city. Rubens House

Antwerp is the birthplace of the outstanding Flemish painter Rubens. Now in the city operates his house-museum, which is open to all connoisseurs of artistic painting of the great artist. This building was built in the early XVII century, which was designed by Peter Paul Rubens himself. The interior of the museum is close to the original situation of that time and is furnished with original furniture. The interior of the house is divided into two halves: in one of them there are living rooms and an art gallery, in the other - the artist's workshop. The building itself is marked by baroque pomp and luxury.

Antwerp: sights of the central part of the city. Cathedral of Our Lady

This Roman Catholic church pierces the sky with a 123-meter sharp spire. The Gothic cathedral was built in 1530 and is located in the center of the city. This is the most grandiose structure and the highest cathedral in the whole country. Its openwork towers, lined with stone lace, give a sense of weightlessness and grandeur. The interior of the cathedral is lancet arches, voluminous figures and relief columns trimmed with marble. Above the altar stands Triptych Rubens - "The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord." An old organ is installed on the upper gallery. It was once played by Mozart himself, while still a young pianist.

Antwerp: attractions of the waterfront. The Castle of Sten

This is the only structure that has remained since the XIII century. The fortress with mighty walls, impregnable donzhonom was built on the river bank. For a long time the residence of Margraves was located here. During the Spanish rule, the Inquisition was placed here. At the end of the XIX century the building became a museum of archeology. At present it is the National Maritime Museum. It contains a collection of models of ships, navigational instruments and nautical charts.

Antwerp: attractions of the central square. Town Hall

The building of the City Hall crowns the central square of the city. A simple, but not monotonous facade of the structure is made in the strict forms of the Renaissance. Red marble of the lower floor, light facing stone of other floors color the area with multicolored flickering. High and thin 50-meter tower of the Gothic style skyrockets skyward. Around it are drawn Renaissance cornices and pylons. The tower is decorated with statues of Wisdom, Our Lady and Justice, executed in the Baroque style. The interior is decorated with multicolored marble, carved wood, frescoes and plentiful gilding.

In the city there are many interesting places, from the visit of which the head will spin. This is the Flemish opera, the Royal Museum of Art, the House of Guilds and Butchers, the Church of St. Paul, the Burgundian Chapel, the Middelheim Museum of Sculptures, etc. Walking through the ancient streets of the Belgian city, it is worth seeing the pedestrian tunnel under the Scheldt and one of the most beautiful medieval-era bridges. It will be interesting to visit Pelikanstraat Street, which has numerous jewelry stores.

To get to the city you can on a suburban train, cruising the Brussels-Antwerp route every hour. The journey takes 40 minutes.