Explore Antwerp Highlights with Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour

Antwerp Central Station, also called the 'Middenstatie' or 'Railway Cathedral' by the people of Antwerp. This station was put into use in 1905. The building consists of a steel platform roof and a stone station building in eclectic style. The architect, Louis Delacenserie, was inspired, among other things, by the Pantheon in Rome. The station has been voted several times as one of the most beautiful in the world, and it certainly shows.

the {Keyserlei}. The basic buildings consist of late 19th-century buildings with plastered cornice facades in neoclassical or second empire style. Each building has a retail or catering function on the ground floor. Even when the street was constructed, its location near the station invited the building of shops, cafés, hotels and cinemas, functions that continue to live on in the streetscape today.

The painter and etcher Antony van Dyck lived from 1599-1641 and was the most important Flemish artist of the 17th century after Rubens.

The church is known as the starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, because in the early fifteenth century there was a guest house on the spot where the church now stands, which welcomed pilgrims from Northern Europe. In this Saint James shrine they found a resting place during their pilgrimage to the grave of the Apostle James.

The Snijders & Rockoxhuis in the {Keizerstraat} is the seventeenth-century patrician home of Nicolaas Rockox (1560-1640). He was mayor of Antwerp, art collector, patron and friend of Rubens. Frans Snijders was a painter who lived next to the mayor.

This Belgian writer lived from 1812 to 1883 and worked his way up through talent and zeal to become a Flemish popular writer. It is said of him that he was “the man who taught his people to read.” With his 'painting' texts he tried to educate and educate the people.

Under French rule in 1793, the guilds were abolished and the Butcher's House was used as a warehouse from then on. At the beginning of 1900, {Antwerp} had the building renovated and converted into a museum.

The Lange Wapperwas designed by Albert Poels. There are many stories surrounding the Lange Wapper. He was a tormentor who roamed around at night and chased drunkards into their houses, where he would look in through the window. He is actually small in stature, but he has the magic power to make himself bigger and bigger, even so big that he can reach above the houses.

A world of diamonds, brilliants and silver! Antwerp has been the diamond center worldwide for almost six centuries. Interactive screens provide information about Antwerp's diamond life, past and present. You can even enter the highly secured vault. Next to the Diva is the Ruihuis, where you go underground. Antwerp has traditionally had an extensive underground system: a mix of vaults, bridges, canals, sewers and locks. You can see the underbelly of the city!

33. Grote Markt The {Brabofontein}, in the middle of the Markt, is perhaps one of the most photographed places in the city. This work by sculptor Jef Lambeaux refers to the city's most famous legend, starring the giant Antigoon and the Roman hero Brabo. You see how Brabo throws the giant's hand, which he has just cut off, into the Scheldt. According to some, this 'hand throwing' is the basis of the name Antwerp.