Grote Markt, Antwerp

Grote Markt – Antwerp – Heart of the Old City Quarter

Grote Markt of Antwerp is located in the heart of the old city quarter and the compact main square is pedestrian where one can admire the monumental fountain as well as the magnificent buildings surrounding the square in peace. The amazing 16th century city hall tends to dominate the moderately small Grote Markt. The square’s triangle shaped originated from the municipal ground developed during the Franks era.

At Antwerp’s Grote Markt one will find the City Hall, build on the fundaments of the burned down earlier city hall, the guildhalls Sint-Joris at Grote Markt 7 and de Valk at Grote Markt 11, the Brabo fountain, statue sculptured by Jef Lambeaux about a city legend and the tourist office. Surrounding the market place there are several restaurants and cafes and in winter it tends to house a Christmas market and an ice arena.

The centre-piece of the square is the huge fountain built in 1887 and depicts the character of Antwerps’ famous legend, the mythical hero Brabo. As per the legend, the giant Antigoon had demanded a high toll for each ship that desired to enter the city and if the crew of the ship did not want to pay the toll, their hands would be cut off. The hero Brabo had fought the giant and had cuts its hand and head and had thrown the hand in the river.

The Fountain’s Statue Depicts Brabo

The fountain’s statue depicts Brabo throwing the giant’s hand in the river Scheldt, symbolizing the free passage through the river. It is a political jab at the Dutch as such who had long blocked free traffic on the Scheldt. Grote Markt is perhaps known for the beautiful houses of the Guilds that tend to align the square which are relatively new.

 The original houses had been destroyed in 1576 by fire and were rebuilt in Flemish Renaissance style. However they were revamped again in the 19th century resulting in the present lavishly decorated houses. But the most appealing building on the Grote Markt is the magnificent Stadhuis – City Hall that was built in 1565 in Flemish Renaissance style and lavishly decorated with ornaments and claims a luxurious interior which was redecorated in the 19th century.

Port of Antwerp – Inland Seaport/Second Largest Port in Europe

The port of Antwerp is the inland seaport as well as the second largest port in Europe following Rotterdam. One third of entire Belgian exports travelthrough the Flemish city. Antwerp is also considered to be the world’s second petrochemical port after Houstan in USA. Half of the world’s top 20 chemical companies tend to have offices in Antwerp.

Besides this, Antwerp is also known to be the world’s main trading centre, cutting and polishing diamond where 85% of the world’s rough diamonds and half of the polished diamond seems to be negotiated in the city. However, Antwerp is not only a big industrial port but since 1990 has been recognized as a fashion design city. Having 29 theatres, 6 concert hall and 35 museums, Antwerp has one of the highest densities of cultural venues per capita in Europe and boasts as the third largest zoological garden in Europe with regards to species.

The city has also been a stronghold of Flemish nationalism for two decades with the pro-independence extreme right Vlaams Belang Party that haddemanded one third of the votes at the last two municipal elections.