Antwerp
Travel Advice for Seniors: Antwerp
Antwerp is a major European seaport, primarily known for its 500-year-old industry of diamond trading. But not to worry, there is still plenty to see and do without purchasing diamonds!
Antwerp is also the home of many well-known Dutch painters such as van Dyck, Pieter & Jan Brueghel and Pieter Paul Rubens.
The Grote Market or City Square is one of the finest in Belgium. Situated in the heart of the old city quarter, it is a walkable square surrounded by the city’s lovely Renaissance guild houses. The baroque Brabo Fountain depicting the legendary hero of Antwerp is central to the square. The legend says that Druon Antigonus, legendary giant of Antwerp, cut off the right hands of mariners refusing to pay him tribute. His own right hand was cut off by another legendary giant, Salvius Brabo and was thrown into the river, evening up the score.
After our visit to the beautiful City Square, we visited Antwerp’s Cathedral of our Lady, a magnificent example of the Late Gothic style of architecture, built between 1352 and 1521. The Cathedral is well known for its works of art by the world-famous painter Peter Paul Rubens.
Our final stop was at Het Steen, the medieval fortress near the old city center. The surviving structure was built between 1200 and 1225 as a gateway to a larger castle of the Dukes of Brabant which is no longer existent. This is a good location to begin your visit to Antwerp as there is a pictorial history of the city as well as the interesting interior of the fortress and views of the sea.
The Rubenshuis (Rubens’ former home) is also a top attraction here as is the MAS Museum of Contemporary Art. Cogels-Osylei street as well as Kaasstraat are also beautiful old streets that are near city center and very much worth exploring.
Belgium is a wonderful country of very old city squares and high art. Certainly worth a visit even if you aren’t on a river cruise as we were!
Where we stayed: Onboard a river vessel.
How we got there: Sailed from Kinderdijk,Netherlands.This was part of a ten-day river cruise at Tulip Season, beginning in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and cruising through Belgium and ending in Amsterdam.
General Accessibility Information: Major tourist sites, newer hotels, transportation and most cities are accessible. Older buildings and some historic sites may be less accessible. Call in advance to verify and make specialty arrangements. See our sections on specialty apps and accessible travel for more on accessibility assistance.
