B russels and Bruges get all the attention, but Antwerp is Belgium’s most dynamic city. Shaped by its Flemish heritage, working port and centuries-old diamond trade, it’s a destination that feels both historic and excitingly modern offering a great mix of art – from Rubens masterpieces to avant-garde galleries – cutting-edge fashion and a buzzy food scene. Antwerp Centraal Station provides a glorious welcome to the city.
It’s a palace of stone, glass and metal, completed in 1905 by Belgian architect Louis Delacenserie, and widely regarded as one of the finest train stations in the world. The stonework is intricate and the central dome is an icon. Trains arrive every few minutes from Brussels.
Step outside and you’ll find Antwerp is a beautifully walkable city. Dating from 1352, t he Cathedral of our Lady (De Kathedraal) is an outstanding example of gothic architecture. The main tower rises 123m into the sky, well above anything else in Antwerp.
Inside are several masterpieces by Rubens, while outside is the touching Nello and Pastrasche sculpture by Batist Vermeulen, based on the classic Flemish tale of a poor orphan boy and an abandoned dog who becomes his best friend The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (Flemish abbreviation KMSKA ) is located in the cultural district of Het Zuid. It boasts an extensive collection spanning seven centuries, including Flemish and Dutch masterpieces (Rubens, Van Dyck) with modern art by the likes of James Ensor and Rik Wouters. Th.
