Antwerp is the most populated city in Belgium with over half a million residents. The city is located on Belgium’s Scheldt River. The central area of the city is known as the diamond district which is home to the diamond traders and workers. Antwerp has many historical places of interest along with new world architecture waiting to be discovered. Apply for a Belgium Visa Online and visit Antwerp to create some everlasting memories.
Plan a trip around Antwerp to visit the notable and famous places listed below:
The Cathedral of Our Lady – The Cathedral Of our Lady is an ancient church which was consecrated in 1521. Although it was destined to have two spires but the circumstances of the time period postponed the construction and now it has a single 123 meter tall Spire. Even then this single spire is breathtakingly beautiful. The Cathedral of our Lady showcases the art works from the famous Painter Peter Paul Rubens. Jacob de Backer, Otto van Veen and Marten de Vos have their paintings alongside to Rubens works in the Cathedral.
Rubenshuis – The house of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens is now being managed as a museum by the city of Antwerp. It showcases paintings and artworks created by Rubens and other famous contemporaries of his time. The interior of the house is designed to replicate the time period during which Rubens was living in the house. Get a Visa for Belgium and visit Antwerp to look at the architecture of the medieval period.
Museum aan de Stroom – Museum aan de Stroom is a post modern Art Deco architecture that houses objects from other museums namely Etnographic museum and the Maritime Museum. It has over 470,000 objects. The museum was built on the site of the Hanzehuis which was a gathering point for international merchants. The main themes in focus are Power, Life and Death, Metropolis and Antwerp’s cultural and trade history as a Port city.
Het Steen – The medieval Fortress of Het Steen is located in the old city center in Antwerp. It was built after many Viking assaults on the city. In the medieval period this ‘Stone Castle’ was the urban center for the residents of Antwerp. The entrance hosts a statue of a folklore character Lange Wapper, The Giant and trickster who used to terrorize humans.
Antwerp Zoo – The Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest animal parks in the world known to be established on 21st July 1843. The Zoo houses animals covering more than 950 species that total to over 7000 animals and birds. Breeding of endangered species is a major concern to scientists all over the world and the Antwerp zoo plays an important part in preserving these wild animals.
Antwerp is a beautiful city which is famous for its close proximity to the Scheldt River and the evolution of the cultural history. Visit Antwerp to experience the history of the medieval period combined with the post modern art deco architecture. Apply for a Visa to Belgium and visit Antwerp to experience its cultural and architectural history.