Antwerp is the largest city of Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern half of Belgium. It's also known for its diamond trade and seaport.
Statue of Peter Paul Rubens with the city's cathedral in the background:
Antwerpen / Antwerp
Close-up of the cathedral (
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) tower. Consecrated in 1521, its 2nd tower was never completed.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal
Antwerpen / Antwerp
Antwerpen / Antwerp
Antwerp's city hall and the "Brabo Fountain". The Brabo fountain depicts how the city (supposedly) received its name.
According to folklore, and as celebrated by the statue in front of the town hall, the city got its name from a legend involving a mythical giant called Antigoon who lived near the river Scheldt. He exacted a toll from those crossing the river, and for those who refused, he severed one of their hands and threw it into the river Scheldt. Eventually, the giant was slain by a young hero named Brabo, who cut off the giant's own hand and flung it into the river. Hence the name Antwerpen, from Dutch hand werpen—akin to Old English hand and wearpan (= to throw), which has changed to today's warp.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antwerp#Origin_of_the_name
Antwerpen / Antwerp City Hall
Antwerpen / Antwerp
Antwerpen / Antwerp
Antwerpen / Antwerp
Facades on the "Grote Markt", Antwerpen's main square:
Grote Markt Antwerp
Antwerp / Antwerpen
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