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This Small Belgian City Was Once the Richest and Most Cultural City in the World
So, what happened? The answer might be more obvious than you think
The city of Antwerp is a real beauty. Larger and more spacious than the neighboring cities of Ghent and Brugge. Antwerp has a unique big-city feel for a relatively small city.
A little about Antwerp…
The city of Antwerp is in northern Belgium. It is a part of, what I see as, the triangle of three major cities in Belgium; along with Ghent and Brussels.
It’s the second-most populous city in Belgium, having roughly 510,000 people living in it.
The city of Antwerp speaks Dutch. Thirty minutes away in Brussels’ territory, you’ll find French speakers.
Antwerp is a port city that got its name from old folklore about a giant named Antigoon. He lived near the Schledt River and blocked the city’s port to all passing boatmen. Those who couldn’t pay to enter would get their hand cut off. Thus, hand-werpen (dutch for “to throw”).
Antwerp is known for its diamonds and fashion, mainly. As well as their world-class Central Station, which rated #2 in Europe and #3 around the world.
