Antwerp is home to diamonds,chocolates and Peter Rubens paintings

Waking up as we are docking is always fun to me. The sun is usually just rising and we are somewhere miles away from where we went to bed. This morning we are waking in Antwerp, Belgium. Known as the diamond capital of the world. 

Because both the Netherlands and Belgium are below sea level or at sea level, flooding continues to be an issue. And each nation is quick to point out that climate change is real and they look ahead at problem solving flooding. The red metal gate above is a flood gate that is closed when the water level rises. 

Walking to town we pass this huge sand blasting project. The city is refurbishing a large warehouse area into a public park and gathering area.  Below you can see how ornate the iron/metalwork is that is being restored. It will be beautiful when done.

 At the river’s edge is a castle. I can’t remember its use. It was pretty impressive though!

  The Lange Wrapper born from an enormous parsley and a red cabbage into a baby who was fostered by a couple in Antwerp. He went around helping people but on day he was given powers and he transformed into a giant. He constantly bullied the local people and he loved to grab local drunkards and bully them home. He was considered a kind of bogeyman . The further story is on Atlas Obscura if you want to know more.

On our way into town we came upon this statue of John Wayne and his horse at a restaurant. Our guide said it had no relationship to the name of the restaurant or the person who pwned it. Guess they just liked John Wayne! A building with a boat sculpture on the corner.

A horse

City Hall 

In the background are the guild buildings making up one side of the Grote Markt (large market) square. The city hall is surrounded on three sides by guild buildings.

The three buildings in the middle are from 1650 the fountain in the middle of the square tells the story of Brabo throwing the hand of a giant into the river.

The tops of the guild buildings had golden statues. The larger the statue. The more prosperous the guild.

In the distance we can see the church tower for Cathedral of our Lady

 In front of the Cathedral is a sculpture of Nello and Patrasche. The story was written about a little boy and his dog and in the story the boy dies at the base of one of the Rubens picture. The problem was the story was written for a Japanese audience and no one in Antwerp knew any thing about it until thousands of tourists from Japan arrived to see the spot where it happened. One of the city fathers suggested the city give them something to look at and so it was developed ! It was one of my favorite sculptures so far!(another Atlas Obscura)

The one tower of Our Lady Cathedral. The church was started in the 14th century and stopped 170 years later. Its still not considered finished, but no further work is being done.

Entering the church- holy water looking down towards the alter

The chapel of Mary. This statue has over 500 dresses and is continually dressed for the church season.

The pulpit

The first Peter Paul Rubens painting

Its a triptych of Jesus being hung up on the cross

The main alter has a Rubens of the assumption of Mary

The final painting is of Jesus being carried off the cross.

 There are chapels surrounding the main alter area. Each one was filled with either a painting,silver candelabras,statues, immense beauty.

Our walk back to the ship brought us by this row of buildings and a diamond store that was selling roses adorned with diamonds.

 We found another sculpture named something like “castle through the door”

Sure enough there was the castle!

We headed back to the ship and were lucky to get on board before the weather turned nasty. So far we have has rain,wind,hail and temps falling in just an hour or two!

This hat has been a lifesaver for me. It was my dad’s hat he wore for many years in northern Illinois cold weather. When I wear it I can’t  help but think dad is along with me on my adventures. He liked to travel and I like to think he is enjoying our trips.