Antwerp Old Town

Old Town of Antwerp...

Impressive outside of the cathedral, by far the most prominent building of the city.

And even though it was quite chilling all week long (I even had to buy myself shawl as I was freezing), good music ("The Absout Orchestra") is what makes you stop in the drizzle, puts a smile on your face, and a song in your heart :)

Rubens overlooking the Groenplaats

GroteMarkt with the City hall and its colourful flags...

...Brabo, the giants' defeater...

...and the typical guildhalls...

...as well as one of the Marian statues you can find on every corner.
People used to avoid paying taxes for illumination of their houses by placing a statue of Mary on the facade. This way, the lantern that was shining was considered as illumination of the statue, which was tax-free.

Old town by night

 

P.S. If you ever happen to be hungry in Antwerp, Lucy Chang is a fantastic Asian restaurant with super delicious food and pretty huge plates. In need for a tasty pizza? Da Giovanni next to the cathedral will do. Quite fancy and super good, too: Bizie Lizie.

 

~ to be continued ~

Antwerpen Centraal & sunset at the MAS

Lovely Antwerp...
For the start, a few impressions of Antwerpen Centraal, the first thing you might see when coming to the city. I love how the interior looks more like a palace than a train station.

 I love how the station comes in four levels.

 And I love how the palace-like part is combined with the skeleton made of red steel.

Needless to say the station is clean as it should be - no smell and no strange people. Except of a bunch of med students going to summer school :)

Second part of the starter: a sunny evening by the Scheldt. 

Walking past past Het Steen, the first stone fortress of the city...

...past the Pilotage building...

...and past the yacht harbour at the MAS. Even though the museum is closed in the evening, the viewing terrace is accessable till late at night, and offers wonderful views of the city.

The only bummer of the day: banners and decorations that said Antwerp would host a stage of the Tour de France just as I'd be having letures. Blah. My Tour experience therefore consisted only of listening to helicopters from far away, and walking past race remains in the harbour area.

 

~ to be continued ~