Antwerp Belgium

We made plans to meet friends today. Something new; we took a train but a short one to a lovely city. Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world.

But first waffles

When stepping off the train you’re greeted with an architectural marvel. Our heads were on swivels. We love train stations and this one was grandiose.

Tourist 🤪
Just remember 0 is always our 1
We’re loaded up with a transportation day pass for trams, trains & buses

First stop the MAS Museum

The MAS was designed by the Dutch firm Neutelings Riedijk Architecten. Their project “warehouse” was chosen from 55 submissions from around the world. It is located on the site of the former Hanseatic House, which was a storage depot in the 16th century.
The MAS is a huge modern warehouse. Its unique architecture is based on the 19th century warehouses that were typical of the city and the district in which the MAS is located. The museum rooms are stacked on top of one another, offset by a quarter turn on each level, creating a spiral tower. The boulevard leads you up past all the floors. Right at the top, a spectacular panorama of Antwerp awaits you.
Seeing things you’d miss from ground level
Is that “T” misplaced or just Dutch

Next up the medieval fortress the Steen Castle built in 1200-1225. Antwerps oldest building.

A cafe bar on the premises with a good reminder

Walking the city loaded with architectural marvels.

Aww a lil blanket of brick

We can hear church bells across the city, but wait are those playing Broadway show tunes (where’s Stelplugh to play name that tune)

A cathedral can read like a book. Everything carries meaning the architecture,paintings and sacred vessels.

De Kathedraal stops you in your tracks
Find a tram to see 💎

Instead of shopping for diamonds we got distracted by fries sign

Belgium Fries are cooked twice, served crispy & hot with a perfect amount of salt, with 16+ dips to choose from. YUMMY!!! Who needs diamonds when you can have fries.
In WW1 the American soldiers ate these treasurers and the people making them spoke French. That’s the story & they’re sticking to it. In Belgium they speak French and Dutch. Here the are BELGIUM FRIES

Grote Market has the Brabo statue from 1887. Silvius Brabo is shown throwing the hand of Druon Antigoon. He was collecting taxes illegally and if they couldn’t pay he’d cut off their hand. We have to conclude where the label “goon” came from. Brabo stopped the goon.

Have to hand it to him

You can buy hands everywhere and they make lovely hand cookies with chocolate or almonds.

Back on the train to catch the bus to meet our friends.

Riding the trains always has a spot of pure happiness

Off to meet my friend and that is worthy of its own post

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