Meir area, Antwerp

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Favorite thing: The David Teniers statue stands just off the Frankrijklei in between the Keyserlei and the Meir.

Daid was a famous painter (1610-1690) and he made several hundreds of paintains. Farmer landscapes are amongst the best-known by his hand.

Favorite thing: Antwerp is known as the diamonds capital of the world. But not always it had this title. In fact, the city of Brugge was the first to discover diamonds' polish technique. Lodewyk van Bercken, native of Brugge, came up with a unique idea polishing one diamond using another. Brugge was diamonds' center until the end of 14th century and from the beginning of the 16th century Antwerp is leading the industry. It did have to struggle in the middle of the 20th century but all in all it has no competitors.
Until nowadays van Bercken's diamonds' polish technique is in use and his statue can be found on one of the historic buildings along the Meir street

Favorite thing: I like Antwerp for its interesting stories and farytales. And the most famous story gave the city its name. Literally translated as "Throwing hand" there are at least 2 statues I know of that remind us the legend of Brabo, the hero who killed a giant, cut its hand and threw it into the river Schelde.
This hand statue is probably the most photographed one in the city. Kids like climbing the huge hand-statue and tourists take pictures of them selves probably without even knowing what the monument represents. I was one of them. IT took me some time to learn about Antwerp's saga.
If you walk from the central train station towards the Grote Markt you will find the "Hand" on your left side, walking along the main street Meir.

Favorite thing: In a side street off main shopping area Meir, the "Eikenstraat" (Oak Street) the gable of a school is adorned with a rather remarkable work of art. It is only 100 yards or so into the street and in my opinion well worth taking a look at.

Favorite thing: The Meir is the main shopping street in Antwerp. It's the connection between the Central Station and the city center. Most houses in this area are of the mid 18th century. There are a lot of famous shops in this street as well as some local ones. If you walk here you are bount to twist your neck, as you'll be looking upwards a lot, admiring the beautiful houses.

Favorite thing: Walking along the Meir, a major shopping street in Antwerp you just have to look around and up once in a while. The shopwindows are nice to see but don't miss the buildings and statues along the way.

In this picture you see the statue of Antony van Dyck, who lived from 1599-1641. He was a famous painter from Antwerp. More about him, his life and work can be found at this website: http://www.vandyck.co.uk

Behind the statue is a building with a golden figure of electra on top. It used to be a building of the electricity company.

Fondest memory: I visited Antwerp several times and have tons of fond memories. However, nothing can compare with 'summer of survival' as I would call it now. Yes, it was the summer I discovered it and soon found out that I just couldn't leave. However, I had practically no money (I was robbed a few days before in Poland) so I took up any job I could find. I scrubbed the floor of a furniture exhibition sale, did cleaning in the hostel (so that I could stay for free), and babysitted. I lived hand to mouth, hanged around with locals and loved every moment of it. I never thought I could do it. As I was pushing the pram with the little boy down sleepy streets one morning, I wore a broad survivor smile. I met a friend who kissed me on the cheek and asked me how I was. 'Plain happy,' I replied. 'You definitely look so,' she said.

Favorite thing: Visit the square of the Wapper, a side street of the Meir where you find this beautiful fountain. You find here also the Rubens House. More information about the Rubens House you find in my “Must see activities” or in my travelogues.

Favorite thing: On the corner of the Meir and the Wapper (a side street of the Meir) you find the Royal Palace. Due the changes on VT, I will give info that is more detailed later. I will place only pictures now and I will see what will happen after the start of VTML. To stay on VT or not to stay, that is the question ;-)

Favorite thing: Now, with the transformation of the Central Station, the front gate is not on the Queen Astrid Square anymore. It was under the pressure of the shopkeepers in the Keyserlei that the portal removed to the front of their street. The reason of this is very normal, more shoppers! As I am not a shopper, I will not make any advertising by taking pictures here, although, nice but very expensive pubs and restaurants have their place here. Nevertheless, this way brings you to the Meir. It is there where your visiting to the old part of Antwerp begins. Notice this beautiful house in the beginning of the Meir.