Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

146 BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG REGION BY REGION

Fanning out from the east bank of the River Scheldt,

Antwerp was and is one of the leading trading cities

of northern Europe. Today, the city’s industries lie

away from its medieval core whose narrow streets

and fine buildings cluster around the cathedral

and the Grote Markt. Packed

with evidence of Antwerp’s rich

history, this is a delightful area

to wander in. Most sites of

interest are within walking dis-

tance of the Grote Markt whose

surrounding streets house museums,

shops and exuberant cafés and bars.

Vleeshuis

Occupied by the

butcher’s guild for

three centuries, this

beautiful 1504

building has striking

layers of brick and

stone that look like

alternating strips of

fat and lean meat.

Brabo Fountain

Set in the centre of the

Grote Markt, this statue

(1887) by Antwerp-

born sculptor Jef

Lambeaux depicts the

Roman soldier Silvius

Brabo throwing the

hand of the mythical

giant Druon Antigoon

into the River Scheldt.

Stadhuis

Flanking Antwerp’s spectacular central

square is the elegant 16th-century Stadhuis,

designed by Flemish architect Cornelis Floris.

Gilt statue on
guildhouse

KEY

Suggested route

Street-by-Street: Around the Grote Markt

STEENPLEIN

JORDAENSKAAI

KU

IPE

RSSTRAAT

SUIKERRUI

O

U

D

E

K

O

O

R

N

M

AR

KT

Het Steen

(see p145)

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp266–7 and pp292–4

STAR SIGHTS

. Grote Markt
. Onze-Lieve-
Vrouwekathedraal