The largest city in Flanders is located on the banks of the River Scheldt. Antwerp is the city of Gothic cathedrals, marvelous castles, the center of fashion, and diamond industry. Antwerp is the European capital of luxury, the motherland of Peter Paul Rubens and many other great artists. Streets with ancient mansions neighbor on districts with nightclubs. After you spend the whole day attending galleries and museums, you can drop by boutiques of famous designers. This city of royal chocolate, diamond masterpieces, and fashionable shops has gained great popularity among tourists all over the world a long time ago.
The municipality consists of 9 districts. It includes Antwerp itself and several neighboring towns. The following districts are considered to be the most attractive for the tourists:
The Historical Center. In this part of the city, attractions can be found at every corner. Here you can find the most expensive hotels and restaurants.
Sint-Andries. It’s a quiet district where the renowned antique street Kloosterstraat, the fashion museum MOMU, fashionable boutiques are located.
De Wilde Zee and Meir. This part of the city is situated not far from the Historical Center and attracts all the shopping enthusiasts. The main trading streets are concentrated here. Moreover, here you can find excellent budget hotels and apartments.
Zuid. It’s the most suitable district for those who love loud nightlife and value art. The majority of museums, art galleries and exhibition halls are located in Zuid.
Het Eilandje. This part of the city can be found near the port. It offers wonderful cheap accommodation options with a beautiful view of a river. The district is famous for its extraordinary bars, unique restaurants, and nightclubs.
Magnificent cathedral and grandiose castles, unique museums and unbelievable galleries, wonderful parks and gorgeous restaurants - Antwerp is a real paradise for travelers. Create your touristic route in advance not to miss the most significant places.
According to the population census in 2017, more than 500 thousand people live in the city. The majority of citizens are Flemings. The city also has immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The Celts settled down at the territory of the nowadays city in the II-III centuries. In 600 years, the Franks created a fishing settlement nearby and it was earth-mounded. According to one version, the appearance of the city’s name comes from this fact. The word “antwerp” translates as the “alluvial mound” from the language of the Franks. The first record of Antwerp was mentioned in the biography of Saint Eligius who was an evangelist in the VII century.
The Vikings destroyed the city in the first half of the IX century. In time, they founded a trading post here. After that, Antwerp was won back by the East Franks.
The settlement came into possession of the Duke of Brabant in the XII century. In the first half of the XIII century, it obtained the status of a city. The authorities put concrete walls around Antwerp to fortify it. The city became an important point of the European trade where they sold English wool, salt, leather, fish. Gradually, houses of German, English, and Italian merchants appeared here.
After America was discovered in the XVI century, the banks of the city reacted quickly and started to accept gold. The first stock market was opened. The number of citizens was constantly growing and new expensive houses were built. The decline of Antwerp began in 50 years after the revolutions in the Netherlands. The city became fenced off from the sea gate. It was in the economic blockade for more than 200 years.
When Napoleon came to power, an epoch of Antwerp’s revival began in France. The city turned into a military port. New large docks were built in its harbors.
Antwerp became a part of Belgium in the middle of the XIX century. Even though the economic development of the city slowed down, it remained to be the cultural center of the southern part of the country.
The economic flourish of Antwerp and the enhancement of the city port began at the end of the XIX century. German forces occupied the city during World War I. Unfortunately, Antwerp also suffered from the German army in World War II. After the bombing of the city port, the cinema and the adjoining houses were destroyed.
Throughout the XX century and at the beginning of the XXI century, Antwerp has been growing rapidly turning into a gorgeous city. It’s one of the centers of the European culture and diamond industry.