Antwerp

Antwerp is hardly an hour away from Brussels. It's worth spending a day here since the city has so much to offer culturally. When I got off the train in Antwerp, I was blown away by the sheer magnificence of the Centraal Station. It is often called the "Railway Cathedral" and was even voted as Europe's most beautiful station. Undoubtedly, this is my most favourite place to miss a train.

 

 

The station was built between 1895 and 1905 by Bruges architect Delascencerie. The interiors of the old dome building are lavish and intricate. Twenty types of marble and stone were used during the construction of this marvel. One felt like a princess. At a train station. 

You will find a beautiful lamp post in front of the station. Take some time to admire the ironwork and lovely wood carvings. 

 

You will pass pretty nothings on your way to the city centre. Everything is worth a picture.

 

If you know me personally, you know I have a penchant for old world charm. And nothing is more synonymous with antique glamour than a chandelier. A chandelier can brighten my day without even being lit up.  

The city centre at last! Antwerp is a major shopping hub. People from the Netherlands and all over Belgium come to shop here as well. Don't forget to tilt your head upwards and admire the grandiose architectural framework that now houses every major clothing brand in the world. 

The Stadsfeestzaal: basically means Hall of Festivities. This luxurious Neo-classical monument was originally built in the beginning of the 20th century. After a fire destroyed the building in 2000, it was renovated and reopened in 2007. Today it serves as an upscale shopping center.

 

If you're a fan of the good life, this is the place to see and be seen. Check out the floating Laurent Perrier champagne bar, which stands in one corner of the structure! Pretty impressive to dine in a champagne glass I suppose!

  I enjoyed just getting lost in Antwerp and appreciating the intricate bells, grilles, wall clocks and frescoes that dress up the city.  

One can never tire of the over fed pigeons and the freckled kids who never tire feeding them. 

The force of Belgium! :D Strangely enough, I didn't try my first waffle in the capital city but right here in Antwerp. Très Délicieux. 

The buildings all over Belgium have one trait in common. They all have a criss crossed design on their façade. I asked my host in Ghent, what the reason was behind this and she said it was a very practical reason. It's meant to stand out but also to keep the snow from accumulating on the rooftop.

Another striking monument in Antwerp is the Cathedral of Our Lady. The cathedral contains many works of the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens. The cathedral charges a very small fee to enter and then you are free to admire these chefs-d'oeuvre for as long as you want. 

The interiors of the cathedral are stunning. Napoleon compared the cathedral to Mechlin lace (an intricate bobbin lace produced in the city of Mechelen, about 20 minutes from Antwerp).

 

The Cathedral exhibits Rubens' paintings frequently. We were lucky enough to visit when they displayed religious paintings of other Flemish painters alongside Rubens.

 

I miss beautiful Antwerp, it's compact historical center and losing myself in the medieval streets lined with a mosaic of doors, windows and other illusive charms. :)