It took not 1 or 2 but 3 daytrips from Brussels for me to see it all! Antwerp was very high in my wishlist for several reasons. One - it has 3 UNESCO Sites, visiting which would complete my list of sites in Belgium! Two - Peter Paul Rubens (there's Rubens House where he lived, Notredame Church which has 2 of his paintings and more)! Three -......... that would be the first point of the 5 points in this post! So here are 5 very unique, weird, quirky things to do in Antwerpen.
The escalator also is the original which has been in use since 1933. Guess what's the material of this escalator? Wood!!! I've never in my life, so far, have stepped on a wooden escalator. It is a very weird feeling. The sound of the wood and the traditional revolving chains is really amusing! This is open 24x7 as well.
The story of Nello and Patrache is a bit sad one! They are the main characters of the novel - 'The dog of Flanders'! The poor, orphaned, little boy Nello used to visit the church everyday to see the beautiful paintings of Rubens. The dog also met him often there. Eventually they died together due to hardships.
When I was here on a freezing winter evening, one of these sculptures started to move!!! Well, its a lady, dressed looking almost like one of those sculptures! While the sculpture is there 24x7, I am not sure when this lady is available. I can't help but wonder how was she withstanding the weather!!!
5. Vlaeykensgang: This street is Antwerp's version of Liege's Impasse des Ursulines, where poor people and servants of richmen lived in yesteryears. The street dates from 1591. While its just off-Notre Dame, an area that's very busy, this street looks frozen in time!
To Get There:
To Antwerp: Refer to my earlier post
Except Zomerfabriek, rest are in the city centre and are walkable from Antwerp Centraal and from each other. Zomerfabriek is close to Antwerp Bercham and can be reached by tram from city centre. Public transport in Antwerp is by metro, tram & bus and it is free with Antwerp City Card.
Except Zomerfabriek, rest are in the city centre and are walkable from Antwerp Centraal and from each other. Zomerfabriek is close to Antwerp Bercham and can be reached by tram from city centre. Public transport in Antwerp is by metro, tram & bus and it is free with Antwerp City Card.
On Google Maps: St.Anna's Tunnel, Nello and Patrache Statue, Pieter Appleman's Monument
Zomerfabriek Murals: Begin at the crossroads of Pretoriastraat and Krugerstraat (this can be walked from Antwerp Bercham station), where you will see the intro mural of Meeting of Styles, Zomerfabriek. The whole of Krugerstraat is filled on both sides with murals and continues to Minkelersstraat and Vlijtstraat.
Vlaeykensgang: Walk through the gate at Oude Koornmarkt 16 and tucked in there is this place!
P.S: I was given Antwerp City Card by Visit Antwerp to experience the city for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.