Antwerp, Belgium HD, Antwerp, Belgium Tourism,Antwerp Travel Antwerp is a city and municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Antwerp province of Belgium. Antwerp's population is 512,000 (as of 1 January 2013), making it the second most populous city in Belgium, after the metropolis Brussels, which has around 1.2 million inhabitants. Antwerp's total area is 204.51 km2 (78.96 sq mi), giving a population density of 2,308 inhabitants per km². The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,449 km2 (559 sq mi) with a total of 1,190,769 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008. The French name of Antwerp is Anvers [ɑ̃vɛʁ(s)]; it may be found written this way on signposts in French-speaking regions of Belgium and in French-language publications. Antwerp is located on the right (eastern) bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries, both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury (1576) in the period of the Dutch Revolt. The inhabitants of Antwerp are locally nicknamed Sinjoren, after the Spanish honorific señor or French seigneur, "lord". It refers to the leading Spanish noblemen who ruled the city during the 17th century. Buildings, landmarks and museums ============================== In the 16th century, Antwerp was noted for the wealth of its citizens ("Antwerpia nummis"); the houses of these wealthy merchants and manufacturers have been preserved throughout the city. However fire has destroyed several old buildings, such as the house of the Hanseatic League on the northern quays in 1891. The city also suffered considerable war damage by V-bombs, and in recent years other noteworthy buildings were demolished for new developments. Antwerp Zoo was founded in 1843, and is home to more than 6,000 animals (about 769 species). One of the oldest zoos in the world, it is renowned for its high level of research and conservation. Central Station is a railway station designed by Louis Delacenserie that was completed in 1905. It has two monumental neo-baroque façades, a large metal and glass dome (60m/197 ft) and a gilt and marble interior Cathedral of Our Lady. This church was begun in the 14th century and finished in 1518. The church has four works by Rubens, viz. "The Descent from the Cross", "The Elevation of the Cross", "The Resurrection of Christ" and "The Assumption" St. James' Church, is more ornate than the cathedral. It contains the tomb of Rubens The Church of St. Paul has a beautiful baroque interior. It is a few hundred yards north of the Grote Markt Museum Vleeshuis (Butchers' Hall) is a fine Gothic brick-built building sited a short distance to the North-West of the Grote Markt. Originally used as a home for the Butchers Guild these days it holds a musical instrument collection (including some original Ruckers harpsichords) and is home to occasional concerts. Plantin-Moretus Museum preserves the house of the printer Christoffel Plantijn and his successor Jan Moretus The Saint-Boniface Church is an Anglican church and headseat of the archdeanery North-West Europe. Boerentoren (Farmers' Tower) or KBC Tower, a 26-storey building built in 1932, is the oldest skyscraper in Europe Royal Museum of Fine Arts, close to the southern quays, has a collection of old masters (Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian) and the leading Dutch masters. Rubenshuis is the former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens (1577--1640) in Antwerp. It is now a museum. Exchange or Bourse. The current building was built in 1872. Law Courts, designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership, Arup and VK Studio, and opened by King Albert in April 2006. This building is the antithesis of the heavy, dark court building designed by Joseph Poelaert that dominates the skyline of Brussels. The courtrooms sit on top of six fingers that radiate from an airy central hall, and are surmounted by spires which provide north light and resemble oast houses or the sails of barges on the nearby River Scheldt. It is built on the site of the old Zuid ("South") station, at the end of a magnificent 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) perspective at the southern end of Amerikalei. The road neatly disappears into an underpass under oval Bolivarplaats to join the motorway ring. This leaves peaceful surface access by foot, bicycle or tram (route 12). The building's highest 'sail' is 51 m (167.32 ft) high, has a floor area of 77,000 m2 (828,821.10 sq ft), and cost €130 million. ================= Antwerp Tour, Antwerp tourism, Antwerp Vacation, Antwerp Travel, Antwerp Travel Guide, Antwerp HD, Antwerp History, Antwerp Hotels, Visit Antwerp, Belgium Tour, Belgium tourism, Belgium Vacation, Belgium Travel, Belgium Travel Guide, Belgium HD, Belgium History, Belgium Hotels, Visit Belgium

• published: 15 Apr 2014
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