Last week a political analyst
remarked that the world cannot allow terrorists to become our travel agents. By
extension, we cannot allow their actions to limit our worldview so that we no
longer seek to learn about different cultures and marvel at treasures displayed
in all across the globe. In March Belgium was the victim of an attack and the
world reacted instantly in a spirit of camaraderie and expressions of
solidarity. Belgium continues to welcome visitors and as travelers we can
display our support by continuing to visit the festivals, museums, restaurants
and UNESCO sites the country has to offer. visitbelgium.com
Belgium, because of its location at
the heart of Europe, has been disputed territory for years and has been
occupied numerous times, most recently in both World Wars by the Germans.
Belgium was one of the most devastated countries after WWII and as such was the
recipient of funding from the Marshall Plan to rebuild. The resulting
infrastructure allowed NATO to be based there in 1949 and the highway system
and international flavor make Belgium an ideal destination.
Flanders, a region in northern Belgium,
is one of 3 of Belgium’s regions and home to Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent.
Flanders was autonomous from 862-1795 when it fell under Austrian rule. Today
Flanders shares borders with France, the Netherlands and the North Sea. The Kusttram, or Coast Tram, offers the
longest tram service in the world traversing the 42-mile shoreline. visitflanders.com
Flanders is considered the cycling
capitol of Europe and has a broad network of cycle routes that allow access
throughout the region. Maps and signs are designed to leave nothing to chance
whether you are a professional or a hobbyist. There are two types of routes,
the 1,864-miles Main Cycle Paths (MCP) and the 746-miles Long Distance Routes. #ridelikeaflandrien
The Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Tour
of Flanders, celebrated its hundredth anniversary this year. It is famous for
its level of difficulty due to the cobblestones and 19 steep climbs. Racers must
maintain a pace of 25-28 mph throughout the one day race. No American has
placed first.
Antwerp dates from the 5th-century
when Germanic tribes settled the area. Under Maximilian I the city flourished
as a shipping port and trading center but In the 1560s Philip II sent in
soldiers and instituted the Inquisition to halt the Reformation. In 1576 all
Protestants were forced to leave and Antwerp was deemed a Catholic city resulting
in a loss of wealth, craftsmanship and status. visitantwerpen.be
Modern Antwerp is a perfect
blend of the contemporary and the historic with fashion houses, restaurants and
other venues situated in medieval structures. Strewn among the gothic and
renaissance buildings are new constructions by world-class architects. The Port
of Antwerp is the 2nd largest port in Europe and in the mid-1500s
40% of the world’s trade passed through. The world’s first official stock exchange
was established in 1531 and the city’s Diamond Quarter, 1-sq. mile, houses more
than 4,500 diamond dealers. If you need something to wear with your diamonds
Antwerp is the place to fulfill your couture dreams. Since the 1980s it has
been an important fashion center with shops representing every major
international designer making shopping an extraordinary experience. fashioninantwerp.be
A walking tour should begin at
the Het Steen, a 13th-century medieval fortress, located overlooking
the Scheldt River. The city was settled around it on the left bank and it is
the oldest building in Antwerp.
Antwerp’s symbol, the hand,
can be found in architectural elements and on the city seal and the city’s name
literally means “to throw a hand.” Legend has it that a Russian giant once
terrified the inhabitants and severed the hands of any sailors from ships that
refused to pay toll. Roman soldier Silvius Brabo decapitated the giant and
threw his hand into the river. In 1887 an elaborate figural fountain
commemorating the feat was placed in the Grote Market in front of the 1564 Flemish
Italian Renaissance style Town Hall and surrounded by guild houses.
There are 5 significant
historic churches dating from the 16th and early 17th-centuries.
Peter Paul
Rubens designed St.
Charles Borromeo Church and the Baroque 1571 St. Paul’s Church showcases 200
sculptures and 50 artworks by the likes of Rubens and Van Dyke. If you have
only time to visit one church it must be the gothic 1352 Cathedral of Our Lady.
The cathedral was completed in 1521 and has endured fire, attacks, plunder,
renovation and restoration and remains the largest gothic church in the Low
Lands. The spire rises 403-ft.
Tours feature magnificent
guild altars located against the pillars, 2 organs and 16th and 17th-century
paintings including 4 Rubens altarpieces, “Raising of the Cross,” ”The Descent
from the Cross,” “Assumption of the
Virgin Mary,” and “Resurrection of Christ.” The Rubens works were completely
painted by Rubens. An ornately carved altar is a focal point.
Green Place Square was once a
cemetery. It is now a frame for a bronze statue of Antwerp’s foremost painter,
Peter Paul Rubens.
Ruben and his first wife purchased
their home in 1610 and he continued to enlarge it until it consisted of 3
adjacent homes and a garden. The house tour begins in the glass visitor center
and continues into the home that Rubens occupied until his death in 1640. He was
an avid art collector and some of the pieces are on display. Highlights include
a semi-circular statue gallery and his studio complete with gallery where he
and rich patrons sat to overlook his workshop. Rubens drew the initial
sketches, assistants would do the work and Rubens would then add the finishing
touches. If the commission was important Rubens would complete the work in its
entirety.
Your best bet is to purchase
an Antwerp city card good from 24-48 hours. It includes transportation,
attraction admission and discounts. American Airlines offers non-stop flights
from Philadelphia to Belgium. #visitflanders
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