In IXè century, there was a castle-extremely which was destroyed by the Norman ones and was rebuilt in Xè century. It is of this period which the oldest parts of the Castle go back to Steen. The city knew two apogees - the first in XIIIè century, when Antwerp belonged to the Hanseatic League, the other in XVIè century, when it was one of richest and more powerful centers continental commercial. About 1580 its decline started, and it is only in XIXè century that the city could take again its role. - Antwerp knew its artistic flowering in XVIè and XVIIè centuries, when the Rubens painters, van Dyck and Jordaens lived there.

Central Station [1]. In the east of this one is the
Zoological garden [ 2 ] which is worth a visit, it is among most beautiful of Europe and has many very rare animals. Northern side, the Museum of Natural History. To return towards the station and to follow the street De Keyserlei, very commercial and very animated, with its large hotels, its restaurants its cinemas and its department stores, to cross Frankrijk Lei (with the Flemish Opera). Under the names of Teniersplaats. Leystraat and Meir, the street continues until Wapper where rises on the left (n° 9) the
House of Rubens (Rubenshuis) [ 3 ]. House built in 1610 by Rubens and where it lived until its death (1640), there remains only of small parts. But it was reconstituted in its original style: Rooms in Flemish Renaissance style, the workshop and the gate, in Italian rebirth.
the interior adjustment of time is worthy of attention. - To continue by Schuffershofstraat, to turn left in Huideveffersstraat which joined Gasthuisstraat. With the n° 19,
Museum Mayer van den Bergh [ 4 ]. It shelters significant uvres of Quentin Metsys, Pieter Breughel the Old man, Jordaens and Rubens and sculptures, porcelains and ivories. In the same street a little more in the south, the n° 33,
Maagdenhuis [ 5 ], with a beautiful frontage of 1636. The vault of the old orphanage is a small museum (historical files, old tables and rare potteries). - By Lange and Korte Gasthuisstraat and Wiegstraat one returns on the principal street (called here Schoenmarkt) to arrive at the skyscrapers
Torengebouw [ 6 ]. An elevator goes up to the restaurant of the 24è stage, from where one has a very beautiful sight on the city. To follow Schoenmarkt until Groenplaats (monument with Rubens). Behind the place the
Cathedral [ 7 ] rises (Eleven Lieve Vrouwe-Kerk), the largest church of Belgium. Its construction was started in 1352 with Jan Amal Appelmans and was continued by his/her son Peter Appelmans. The choir, the déambulatoire and the lower part of the tower were finished in 1450; then the great nave and the sides were added. The wonder of this work is the northern, high tower 123 m, built in XVIè century, by Keldermans and Waghemakers. The southern tower remained unfinished. One penetrates inside the side of Groenplaats. The harmonious width of the 7 vessels, long, 52 m and tops of 40 m with their 125 pillars, 117 m offers prospects for most picturesque, the most famous works of art of the cathedral are three works of Rubens: "Deposition" of 1611-14 (right transept), 1' "Erection of the cross " of 1610 (left transept) and 1'"Assomption "of 1626 in the choir square, with small Handschoen-markt (gone with the gloves) and the puit of Metsys (Massys), to follow Maalderijstraat. Until Grote Markt with the
Town hall [ 8 ] (Stadhuis), a very beautiful building rebirth of Cornelis Flowered. At the interior, frescos representing the history of the city. - Town hall, to continue by Suikerrui and Hoogstraat towards Vrijdagmarkt. With the n° 22,
Museum Plantin-Moretus [ 9 ]. The splendid building rebirth was in XVIè century the workshop of the famous Plantin printer. The interior evokes the life of the Flemish patricians. The old printing works and the collections of books will be admired, where many chiefs-d..uvre of the edition are preserved. - Not far from there, to 11-13 Kloosterstraat, the
House Mercator-Ortelius [ 10 ], named according to the famous geographer and cartographer. - Towards the Scheldt, one arrives at the
Tunnel for pedestrians [ 11 ] which passes below the river towards other bank of the Scheldt (470 m length). To follow on the right Ernest van Dijckkaai until Vlotbrug, starting point for the visits of the port in boat. One sees the strong old man of
Steen [ 12 ], currently National Musée of the Navy, the museum more visited of Belgium. The oldest parts date from IXè century, the remainders of the ramparts of 1225. For a long time the fort was used as prison of State. - To the beginning of Jordaenskaai, small Vleeshuisstraat leads to the
Vleeshuis (House of the Butchers) [ 13 ], very beautiful Gothic construction of XVIè century, which shelters the Museum of decorative Arts and craft industry. - To pass by Oude Beurstraat and Hofstraat to the
Old Stock Exchange [ 14 ] (Oude Beurs), the first purse of the city (1515). Beautiful patio. - One continues by Hofstraat, Zirkstraat and Lange Koepoortstraat towards Minderbroedersstraat, where are with the n° 22,
Files and Musée of the Flemish Culture [ 15 ] with rich person collections. - To turn over towards Lange Koepoortstraat, to take Zwartezusterstraat, then Veemarkt, where is on the right the
Church St-Paul [ 16 ], built in 1533-71, which one will admire the rich person decoration baroque. - To turn over towards the Scheldt and to skirt the quay until Brouwersvliet. With the n° 20
House of the Brewers (Brouwershuis) [ 17 ] of XVIè century, with its large pumps (1533) which fed out of water all the breweries of the city. - One will finish by a visit of the port (walk in boat).
Musée Royal of the Art schools [ 18 ], Leopold de Waelplaats, one of the most significant collections of tables of the country so much in traditional paintings (primitive Flemish, school Italian, French, German,..) that contemporary.
Church St-Jacques [ 19 ], Lange Nieuwstraat. This Gothic church dates from XVè and XVIè centuries. At the interior, of a style sumptuous baroque, a vault with a significant retable of Rubens and its tomb is.
Museum of diamond, Jezustraat.

Central Station (Centraalstation)
:
Almost all international trains, Ooststation for the non-stop trains between Holland and France. The Station of the West and Damstation serve the regional lines.

Bus regular for the air terminal 1
Brussels-National by the SABENA!!!!!!!!, De Keyserle 74. to check

Many sea links.

The visit of the port in boat (3 hours), at the beginning of Vlotbrug, is very recommended, as well as the excursions towards Ostend or Zealand.

In 1993, Antwerp was declared capital cultural of Europe. With this occasion, very many monuments were cleaned and restored and of very many and prestigious demonstrations of art were programmed.

Among the traditions that Antwerp keeps jealously, let us quote the great tournament of principal rafters (first Sunday of September) and the great procession of Our-Lady on August 15.