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Antwerp
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There are two main entrances to the main station, the "Railway Cathedral"- in the Astrid and Kievit square. There is also a smaller station, Antwerpen-Berchem, which offers connections to Brussels in under 45 minutes. To access Antwerp, Eurostar trains between Brussels run around 20 times a day then passengers can change onto domestic lines on to Antwerp.
Eurostar trains between St Pancras International and Antwerp have average journey times of 1 hour, 51 minutes; the route passes through Lille and Brussels. The Belgian rail network makes access to Brussels even more popular and easier for tourists via high speed rail. You can book tickets for travel any time of the year, but many people visiting in August enjoy the Rubens Festival which is held in Antwerp.
Antwerp is home to the largest diamond cutting industry in the world, and accounts for around 70% of world diamond trade, with 250 of its own firms. It is very popular with art enthusiasts and younger visitors, but has small designer boutiques that make it a good destination for all kinds of visitors, especially shops by the Antwerp 6, a group of designers from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp that have collaborated: |
Points of Interest
| Grote Markt The square is in the centre of Antwerp’s old town, and visitors here can take advantage of: the Brabo Fountain, Ethnographic Museum, the Folk Museum, the many Guild houses, horse-drawn carriages, Rubens Markt and the Town Hall. | |
| The Butcher's Hall This is now the Vleeshuis Museum, displaying collections of archaeological and art history. It was originally the former seat of the butcher's guild on the Vleeshouwerstraat. | |
| Onze Lieve Vrouwkathedraal This is the largest Gothic church in Belgium and the Netherlands. | |
| The Elisabeth Gasthuis The Gasthuis is a 13th century hospital. It contains a chapel designed by A. Quellin the Younger from the 16th century.
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| Maiden's House The museum and archives was once an orphanage. | |
| Lillo The Berendrechtsluis (the world's largest lock) is an excellent sightseeing opportunity in the village of Lillo.
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| Koninklijke Paleis Napoleon's Antwerp residence, and the former royal palace, now displays collections of contemporary art. |
Attractions
Held every year from September to October in some of the most important venues, with:
Operas
Orchestral, choral, chamber and organ concerts
Recitals
Dance performances
The Kruidtuin botanical garden
The diamond industry in the Pelikaanstraat quarter
Flea markets: on the Oud Arsenaalplaats, Oude Vaartplaats, Blauwtorenplein and the Graanmarkt
Glove market in front of the cathedral
Antique market at Groenplaats 21
Junk Markets on the Vrijdagmarkt
Bird Market every Sunday on the Oude Vaartplaats