Dear readers, it has been a minute. My last article was in May when we explored one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities, Namur. Surprisingly, I did not write a single piece in June. But for a good reason. I had a lot on my plate; I had to study to ensure that I was able to stay in Belgium indefinitely. Hopefully, I managed to do that. But we will know for sure only a couple of months from now, and it is no longer up to me. Fingers crossed. But now, about my most recent trip.
Antwerp. What is Antwerp? Antwerp is a city located in the northern part of Belgium. It is the capital of the Antwerp province and is one of the major cities in the country. Antwerp is situated on the Scheldt River and is an important port city, known for its international trade and diamond industry.
This was my second trip to Antwerp. My first was when I was a Schuman trainee back in 2018, so I had to wait five years to come back to this wonderful city. This time, I did not go alone; I had my wonderful woman, for whom this was also a second visit, and my mother. Speaking for all of us, we thoroughly enjoyed this day of exploration.
Antwerp has a rich history and is known for its cultural heritage. It gained prominence during the Renaissance period as a major economic and cultural center. The city was a hub for artists, scholars, and merchants, and it played a significant role in the development of the Flemish School of painting, with renowned artists such as Peter Paul Rubens calling Antwerp their home.
We did not have a plan for Antwerp. We just went to the Gare Central in Brussels, we bought train tickets, jumped on a train, and went to the diamond capital. My main goal was to show my mother the central square and the view from above. I vaguely remembered where to go or how everything looked, thus I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to retrace my steps.
Today, Antwerp is a vibrant city with a population of over half a million people. It is known for its beautiful architecture, including the Gothic-style Cathedral of Our Lady, the medieval fortress Het Steen, and the historic City Hall. The city also offers a range of cultural attractions, such as museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues. Additionally, Antwerp is renowned for its fashion industry and is often referred to as the fashion capital of Belgium.
Not by design, but we managed to see more or less all the main attractions mentioned above. Yes, we did not go inside those buildings or explore in detail everything Antwerp has to offer, but the main goal was to get an impression. That we did.
Overall, Antwerp is a cosmopolitan city with a rich history, a thriving cultural scene, and economic importance, making it a popular destination for tourists and a significant center of commerce in Europe.
If you want to eat fish and chips then go to Bia Mara. You will not be disappointed. Trust me.
The beer you see below is brewed and bottled in Antwerp. A solid, delicious craft beer.
See you soon.
Kind regards,
Olaaf
P.S. I know that Antwerp is the cocaine capital of Europe. I know. However, it did not seem unsafe. Maybe in the evening or at night, the situation is different, but is it not like that everywhere? I love Belgium.
