Antwerp

Summer Holiday 2009, Antwerp
Het Steen Het Steen is a medieval fortress in the old city centre of Antwerp, built after the Viking incursions in the early Middle Ages as the first stone fortress of Antwerp, Het Steen is Antwerp's oldest building and used to be its oldest urban centre. Previously known as Antwerpen Burcht (fortress), Het Steen gained its current name in around 1520, after significant rebuilding under Charles V. The rebuilding led to its being known first as "'s Heeren Steen" (the King's stone castle), and later simply as "Het Steen" (the stone castle). : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Lange Wapper At the entrance bridge to the castle is a statue of a giant and two humans. It depicts the giant Lange Wapper who used to terrorise the inhabitants of the city in medieval times. This statue was made in 1963 by Albert Poels. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Het Steen One of the many insignias on the outer wall of the castle. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Het Steen Those sentenced to public execution said their last prayer in front of this crucifix just inside the castle’s entrance. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Natienhuis This beautiful building is located next to the castle and also Vleeshuis : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Vleeshuis Behind the richly decorated newer building you'll get a glimpse of Vleeshuis, one of oldest buildings in town. The Butchers Guild decided to build a new Vleeshuis near the cattle market, where the animals were slaughtered and cut. The new building provided room for 62 butchers, plus meeting rooms and storage. It is probable that the current structure was designed by the architect Herman de Waghemakere and his son Domien de Waghemakere. The current Late-Gothic building was constructed between 1501 and 1504 and is the third Vleeshuis on the site.[4] It is made of red brick and white sandstone. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Stadhuis The city council originally intended to build the new city hall in a Gothic style, but by the time the required funds were found, Renaissance had become the new fashionable architecture style, favoured by progressive artists such as Cornelis Floris II de Vriendt, who was responsible for most of the building's appearance. The design by de Vriendt was influenced heavily by Italian architecture and is a Flemish version of Florentine palaces. Construction of the building started in 1561 and was completed four years later. The facade is richly decorated with statues, ornaments and coat of arms. In 1587 Jesuits replaced the centrally located statue of Brabo - symbol of the city - by a statue of Mary. At the top of the building, a statue of an eagle faces towards Aachen, at the time the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Mary City hall facade. In 1587 Jesuits replaced the centrally located statue of Brabo - symbol of the city - by a statue of Mary. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Hilton bus Two furry-legged very cute horses in front of a carriage giving a ride for the tourists. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Brabo Fountain The centerpiece of the square is a large fountain, built in 1887 by the architect Jef Lambaux. It depicts the protagonist of Antwerp's most famous legend: the mythical hero Brabo. According to the Legend, the giant Antigoon demanded a high toll for each ship that wanted to enter the city. If the ship's crew did not want to pay the toll, their hands were cut off. The hero Brabo fought the giant, cut its hand and head and threw the hand in the river. The fountain's statue depicts Brabo throwing the giant's hand in the river Scheldt and symbolizes the free passage through the river. As such it is a political swipe at the Dutch, who long blocked (and still continue to hinder) free traffic on the Scheldt. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Guild Houses The Grote Markt is probably best known for the beautiful houses of the Guilds which align the square. Those buildings are relatively new. The original houses were destroyed in the fire of 1576. They were rebuilt in Flemish Renaissance style, but were revamped again in the nineteenth century, resulting in the current lavishly decorated houses. The highest one was the house of the guild of Archers and is crowned by the statue of St. George. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma St George This statue of St. George is on top of the house of Guild of Archers. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Ship Another guild house roof statue, I would guess it had something to do with trading and sea-faring :). : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal In 1352, construction was begun on a new Our Lady’s church which would become the largest Gothic church in the Netherlands. In the beginning, it was to be provided with two towers of equal height. In 1521, after nearly 170 years, the new church of Our Lady was ready. The south tower reached only as far as the third string course. During the night of 5–6 October 1533, the new church was largely gutted by fire. The completion of the second tower was therefore delayed, which led to its ultimate postponement. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Old gravestone An old gravestone (can't really say headstone as those were not used) on display next to the cathedral. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Cathedral Builders Statue of the Builders in front of Antwerp Cathedral. Although Pieter Appelmans was not the only architect of this cathedral, he is the one depicted in the sculpture, with the layout of the cathedral on its knee. He was the one who designed the new towers, although only one was completed. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Rubens' statue This statue of Petro Rubens (1577-1640) stands in the Groenplaats. Rubens was a famous Flemish Baroque painter who had an extravagant Baroque style that emphasized movement, colour, and sensuality, His paintings are displayed throughout the world. He was knighted by both Philip IV, King of Spain, and Charles I, King of England. This statue was created by sculptor William Geefs in 1840. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Wafelhuis Leon Nicely painted ad on the blinds of a closed waffle house. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Cow on a bicycle I suppose they were running out of shelf space or something. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Timesaver No need to travel to Brussels to see the original, I suppose. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Saint Carolus Borromeus church St. Carolus Borromeus Church is a Baroque church with a spectacular facade, built by the Jesuits between 1615 and 1621. Peter Paul Rubens contributed to the façade, the tower, and much of the interior. The facade is based on Il Gesu in Rome, the first Jesuit church. The interior was designed to look like a Baroque banqueting hall, providing a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. On July 18, 1718, lightning struck and 39 ceiling paintings by Rubens were tragically lost in the subsequent fire. Most of the original marble was also destroyed. One of the church's most unique features is the interchangeable painting above the altar, which uses an original mechanism which is still in working order. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Saint Carolus Borromeus church St. Carolus Borromeus Church is a Baroque church with a spectacular facade, built by the Jesuits between 1615 and 1621. Peter Paul Rubens contributed to the façade, the tower, and much of the interior. The facade is based on Il Gesu in Rome, the first Jesuit church. The interior was designed to look like a Baroque banqueting hall, providing a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. On July 18, 1718, lightning struck and 39 ceiling paintings by Rubens were tragically lost in the subsequent fire. Most of the original marble was also destroyed. One of the church's most unique features is the interchangeable painting above the altar, which uses an original mechanism which is still in working order. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma City library Conscienceplein, named after a famous 19th century Flemish writer Hendrik Conscience, whose statue can be seen in front of the library. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Minderbroedersrui 74 The corner house was built in the first half of the 17th century in brick and sandstone building. The facade on the Minderbroedersrui was completely rebuilt in 1924 : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
St Jacobskerk St. James' Church is built on the site of a hostel for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. The present building is the work of the Waghemakere family and Rombout Keldermans, in Brabantine Gothic style. The church contains the grave of Rubens in the eastern chapel. From 1431 on, even before the church was built, the chapel on this site was a stop on the route to the burial place of Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela. In 1476 the chapel became a parish church so plans were made to replace the modest building with a large church. Fifteen years later, in 1491, construction of the late Gothic church started. It was not completed until 1656, when Baroque architecture was in vogue. Fortunately throughout all those years the architects closely followed the original Gothic design, hence the consistent Gothic exterior. The interior however is decorated in Baroque style. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma St Jacobskerk St. James' Church is built on the site of a hostel for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. The present building is the work of the Waghemakere family and Rombout Keldermans, in Brabantine Gothic style. The church contains the grave of Rubens in the eastern chapel. From 1431 on, even before the church was built, the chapel on this site was a stop on the route to the burial place of Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela. In 1476 the chapel became a parish church so plans were made to replace the modest building with a large church. Fifteen years later, in 1491, construction of the late Gothic church started. It was not completed until 1656, when Baroque architecture was in vogue. Fortunately throughout all those years the architects closely followed the original Gothic design, hence the consistent Gothic exterior. The interior however is decorated in Baroque style. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Oasemanneke Unveiled on 12 April 1993 close to the head office of the Bond zonder Naam. The BZN calls with this statue tolerance, friendship and a welcoming Antwerp. A work of Marjet Dooremont (Kerksken 1922 - Kerksken 2010), Belgian sculptor : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma ACDC I should say that this "artist" should not give up his day job, if he has one. Good band though. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Spiderman Mekanik Strip has a different kind of store sign. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Yellow and red Nice colour combination on the house in the corner of Sint-Jacobsmarkt and Lange Nieuwstraat. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Stadsfeestzaal At the turn of the twentieth century the city of Antwerp was in need of a large hall to hold the many festivities it organized during the year. The large sumptuous hall, designed by architects Hargot and Hennebique featured an impressive glass-iron vault, a large marble staircase and gilded decorations. The hall was connected to the Meir street by a large building designed by the city architect Alexis Van Mechelen, who was also responsible for the coordination of the whole complex. The front building, eclectic in style, is in harmony with the adjacent Innovation warehouse, which was completed the same year, 1908. After the disastrous fire at the Christmas market in 2000, which left only the iron skeleton intact, the building was converted to a shopping mall. In the front is the statue of Sir Anthony van Dyck, (22 March 1599 – 9 December 1641), a Flemish painter. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Stadsfeestzaal At the turn of the twentieth century the city of Antwerp was in need of a large hall to hold the many festivities it organized during the year. The large sumptuous hall, designed by architects Hargot and Hennebique featured an impressive glass-iron vault, a large marble staircase and gilded decorations. The hall was connected to the Meir street by a large building designed by the city architect Alexis Van Mechelen, who was also responsible for the coordination of the whole complex. The front building, eclectic in style, is in harmony with the adjacent Innovation warehouse, which was completed the same year, 1908. After the disastrous fire at the Christmas market in 2000, which left only the iron skeleton intact, the building was converted to a shopping mall. In the front is the statue of Sir Anthony van Dyck, (22 March 1599 – 9 December 1641), a Flemish painter. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Leysstraat Baroque buildings on Leysstraat. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Baroque beauty Another beautiful Baroque building in the corner of Leysstraat and Kipdorpvest, taken from Teniersplaats. Norwich Union once had it's Antwerp headquarters in this building. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Statue of David Teniers David Teniers the Younger (15 December 1610 – 25 April 1690) was a Flemish artist born in Antwerp, the son of David Teniers the Elder. His son David Teniers III and his grandson David Teniers IV were also painters. This statue is located on Teniersplaats and is sculpted by J.Dujacu in 1866. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Antwerp Tower This 24 floor and 87 meters high tower is the third tallest building in Antwerp and it was officially opened on May 9, 1974. Despite protests from local residents, students and art critics the plans of the architects Joseph Fuyen and Guy Peeters' plans were accepted by the city, after a much more beautiful building was demolished from the site. The tower has been selected among the 18 ugliest buildings in Europe. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Vlaamse Opera The Vlaamse Opera is a neo-Baroque opera house that was built in 1904-1907 as the Flemish version of the Bourla Theater. It was designed by the city architect Alexis Van Mechelen : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Central Station The railway station was built between 1895 and 1905 and replaced a wooden train station built in 1854 by engineer Auguste Lambeau. The monumental main building was designed by the Bruges architect L. Delacenserie. It has a huge dome and eight smaller towers of which six were demolished during the 1950s. Fortunately, these were reconstructed in 2009 together with several ornaments including large lion statues. The huge glass vault was designed by the architect J. Van Asperen. It is 185 meters long and 44 meters at its highest point. The original platform and tracks themselves are elevated, the two lower levels were added later to accommodate the high speed train connection to Amsterdam. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Central Station The railway station was built between 1895 and 1905 and replaced a wooden train station built in 1854 by engineer Auguste Lambeau. The monumental main building was designed by the Bruges architect L. Delacenserie. It has a huge dome and eight smaller towers of which six were demolished during the 1950s. Fortunately, these were reconstructed in 2009 together with several ornaments including large lion statues. The huge glass vault was designed by the architect J. Van Asperen. It is 185 meters long and 44 meters at its highest point. The original platform and tracks themselves are elevated, the two lower levels were added later to accommodate the high speed train connection to Amsterdam. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Oude Beurs 8-10 Nice door on a newish building. Might be from the old building located here earlier. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
St. Paulus church and monastery gate The current entrance which also provides connection to the Calvary. Originally, St Paul’s was part of a large Dominican abbey. It was consecrated in 1571 as a replacement for another church. A new Baroque steeple was built after a ravaging fire destroyed the church in 1679. The church's striking interior hosts fifty paintings by renowned Antwerp masters, Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens, over 200 sculptures, beautiful Baroque altars and sculpted church furniture, widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. The organ was built in the 17th century, but has been repeatedly restored and expanded. An eye-catching feature is the 18th century Calvary with sixty life-sized figures, next to the church on the corner of Veemarkt and Zwartzustersstraat. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma St. Paulus church and abbey Boys playing basketball on the church yard : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Harbour These roofs are now covering cars but I suppose there once was all kinds of stuff either unloaded from the ships or waiting to be loaded into them. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma Loodsgebouw "Antwerp harbour pilots HQ." Now houses some offices of the Waterways and Marine Affairs Administration. Built in 1894 and designed by architects Ferdinand Jan Truyman and Hendrik Kennes in the eclectic style. Built next to the oldest dock of the Antwerp harbour. : 2009, Antwerpen, Belgia, kaupunki, keskusta, loma
Church of Saint Joseph The ceremony of laying the first stone took place on 26 June 1687, in the presence of the Archbishopr of Mechelen. Like all buildings of this era, the edifice's architecture (attributed to the Wallonian architect Philippe Delsaux) borrows from the language of French Baroque classicism - a rotonda, a dome and above all a colonnaded portico refer to classical antiquity and give the edifice a wholly royal solemnity. This is reinforced by the presence of two lions on the portico's pediment. It is an imposing monument, in contrast to the modest size of the hamlets which it serves. Inaugurated with great ceremony on 19 February 1690. The Atomium The Atomium was the main pavilion and icon of the World Fair of Brussels (1958), commonly called Expo 58. It symbolised the democratic will to maintain peace among all the nations, faith in progress, both technical and scientific and, finally, an optimistic vision of the future of a modern, new, super-technological world for a better life for mankind. The peaceful use of atomic energy for scientific purposes embodied these themes particularly well and, so, that is what determined the shape of the edifice. At 102 metres high, with its nine interconnected spheres, it represents an elementary iron crystal enlarged 165 billion (thousand million) times. It was dreamed up by the engineer André Waterkeyn (1917-2005). The spheres, though, were fitted out by the architects André and Jean Polak.