March 16, 2013

Antwerp, tourist impressions






It seems that now that I made it to Antwerp, it is pretty hard to stop talking about it, and,  there is so much more. As Alain mentioned in his comment on the previous pictures, the city is known for its jewelry and as the diamond center (do I dare say?) of the world. I did not even come close to that part of town. How about the fashion Academy and its world :-) famous graduates?
What I am showing  here is a glimpse of the harbor (after Rotterdam, the second largest in Europe), and sights that a first time tourist and visitor might want to concentrate on? The cathedral, the quaint streets, all the different styles and architectures.  I was accompanied by Marie-Anne, a gorgeous young Belgian-Greek student of architecture, who has been living and studying in Greece for a while now and will graduate in November.
Picture two shows Brabo and the Giant's hand being thrown in the river:
"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

34 comments:

  1. Leuke foto's en een hele mooie skyline met een beetje blauwe lucht! wanneer was da!? ;)
    Nog een fijn weekend
    Elektra

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    1. Dag Elektra,
      het was die hyperzonnige lentedag een tiental dagen geleden, wat een geluk we hadden met het weer !

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  2. Such a beautiful city and one I had so hoped to visit while I lived in Europe, but it seemed the chance I wanted just never presented itself! It was years ago and I had a young family! But the next best thing to being there is being able to enjoy your photos -- and I do, every day that you post! Thanks for sharing, Anni!! Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. I consider this observation a real compliment Sylvia. When did you live in Europe? I know how it goes whit a young family. Why do you not come back to have a look ? Wouldn't that be something to look forward to ?
      Have a wonderful weekend yourself!

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    2. It was a long time ago -- forty years!!! My husband was in the military and we were stationed originally in Wiesbaden, Germany and then in Madrid. We did get to France, Italy, The Netherlands and Belgium was next, but we were transferred to Spain and I got pregnant again, so we had to give up some of our original plans. I've traveled a lot since then, but didn't get back to Europe -- unfortunately!! Your blog is one of the next best things to being there!

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    3. 40 years is indeed a long time ago ! You did see a lot.. Germany, France, Spain...
      Yes, flexibility is a must for military, I gues..
      I am so delighted that you enjoy this blog, Sylvia.
      Wonderful that it helps you relive the good old days.

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  3. Hallo Anni,
    Er zitten een paar klassiekertjes tussen, maar nog altijd aangenaam om te (her)bekijken :-)
    Groetjes, Frans

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    1. dank voor je reactie op zondagmorgen, Frans. Ik zie net dat je ook over Antwerpen gepost hebt, prachtige reeks en helemaal anders. Wat de kijkers perspectief kan doen! Geniet van de zondag.

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  4. charmante cette jeune femme.....

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  5. Ciao Anni, un passaggio veloce per augurarti una serena domenica.
    Antonella

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    1. grazie Antonella e buono giorno di festa Italiana oggi!

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  6. Hallo Anni
    Schitterend wat een mooie gebouwen in de stad Antwerpen, wat heb je weer mooie plekjes laten zien
    Groeten en een goede zondag Bets

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    1. je woont niet zo heel ver af, Bets, geen excuus om niet eens zelf te gaan kijken!

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  7. Je me souviens de cette étrange statue, mais je ne connaissais pas la légende. Le port d'Anvers, pour moi, c'est surtout le film d'Yves Allégret avec Simone Signoret : "Dédé d'Anvers".

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    1. à part le titre, Anvers n'y était pas pour grand' chose, n'est-ce pas c'était plutôt une référence type port international, non?

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  8. Cela me donne envie d'une petite escapade...
    :-)
    Belle journée,

    Pierre

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    1. notre Nord du pays n'est pas si loin de votre Nord, Pierre!

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  9. Antwerpen altijd de moeite waard Anni


    groeten

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  10. Toerist zijn, doe jij wel meer hé, Anni !
    Lie(f)s.

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  11. This is great trivia! I will use that info for sure. Cute student...

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  12. BONSOIr et bien cette architecture est tellement différente de na notre
    j'aime beaucoup vos photos
    Bonne soirée

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  13. schitterende serie! groetjes uit Pajottenland, Hilde

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  14. Je viens te dire bonsoir et merci de ton passage
    A bientôt

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  15. Ciao Anni, scusami ma solo un saluto veloce. Verrò con più calma. Bises.

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  16. Anni, een mooie impressie over Antwerpen. Dank je. Lieve groeten Dietmut

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  17. Je n'avais pas vu passer ton dernier message… Bel aperçu sur Antwerp que tu nous donnes ici. Opinion toute personnelle, j'ai aimé la dernière photo plus que les autres, peut-être de par son éclairage très réussi, et l'intéressante vue plongeante. Bravo.

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  18. Bonjour Anni
    Une année alors que nous nous rendions en Allemange, dans le nord, par l'autoroute, nous traversions donc la Belgique. Nous avons été obligés de faire un peu de tourisme de nuit dans la ville de Leuven. L'autoroute fut fermée à cause d'une chute de neige.
    J'aime bien cette architecture qui rappelle celle de nos villes du nord.

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  19. You are tormenting me! I LONG to go back to Antwerp, and this time take my husband and university-student 'children'.
    Like you, I didn't make it to the diamond quarter, there was so much to see in the old quarter.
    And the railway station is gorgeous - a work of art in its own right.

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  20. I loved this city, have been there many years ago. Actually I visited all major cities of Belgium. :-)

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  21. I love Antwerp! I hope I will be able to visit Antwerp one of these days! It is my favorite city in the world!

    rafwillyolivier.blogspot.com

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