ANTWERP

We finally got out and visited Antwerp - the diamond capital of Europe!!  No sparkling purchase this time but I'll be sure to return.   I also want to return at another time so I can see more of the city.   Little did we know that the day we visited was also the day St. Nicholas was paying a visit!   Needless to say there were hoards of families and kids and lots of special activities geared toward welcoming Santa.   Plus it was a really grey day and the pictures came out very flat.   I know these old buildings would look so much better with a little more blue in the sky.

Antwerpen Central Train Station - built between 1895-1905;  

IT WAS RENOVATED IN 2007;

THE TRAIN STATION WAS THE SIGHT OF A VIRAL FLASH MOB TO THE SOUND OF MUSIC SONG, DO-RE-MI IN 2009;

REALLY IMPRESSIVE TRAINSHED

NEVER SAW A STREET MUSICIAN WITH AN UPRIGHT PIANO!

THE STEEPLE OF THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY.  IT IS 404 FEET HIGH.

CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN 1350-1520;  

THE CHURCH WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE TWO MATCHING TOWERS HOWEVER THE 2ND TOWER WAS NEVER BUILT AFTER THE CHURCH WAS RAVAGED BY FIRE IN 1533

MORE DAMAGE WAS INFLICTED ON THE CATHEDRAL DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION WHEN ANTWERP FELL 

IT TOOK MOST OF THE 19TH CENTURY BUT THE CHURCH WAS RESTORED AND  SEVERAL ORIGINAL MASTERPIECES BY PAUL PETER REUBENS WERE RETURNED FROM PARIS TO THEIR RIGHTFUL HOME, THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY 

SOME OF THE CURRENT RESTORATION WORK

THE 19TH CENTURY SCHYVEN ORGAN HAS 90 REGISTERS AND 5,770 PIPESs

MAINTENANCE OF THIS CATHEDRAL IS 1.5 MILLION EURO A YEAR

THIS PHOTO IS A LITTLE BLURRY.  THE DARK WOOD BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED AND THE ORNATE GOTHIC STYLE IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE CHOIR

TOWN HALL BUILDING

SOME GREAT MODERN APARTMENTS JUST OFF THE GROTE MARKT.  PROBABLY HARD TO OWN A CAR AND LIVE IN THE PART - BUT IT WAS NICE AND QUIET IN THIS AREA AND JUST A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE SCHELDT RIVER

A LARGE MARKET AREA IS SET UP IN THIS AREA.   VEGETABLES, CHEESE, BREAD, FLOWERS, CRAFTS  -  YOU NAME IT!

YUM!!!

THE GROTE MARKT - FILLED WITH FAMILIES WAITING FOR ST. NICHOLAS

MOST OF THE CITADEL WHICH MADE UP THE FORTIFICATION OF ANTWERP IS LONG GONE EXCEPT FOR THE "STEEN" WHICH HAS BEEN RECENTLY RESTORD.