Antwerp Zoological garden

Antwerp by foot, its insolent and secret treasures

Introducing the walk Keyserley-Leysstraat-Meir

Meir shopping, slowly loitering to Rubens house

Rubens, his life and his house

Bird market-Bourla theatre - more shopping

Shopping streets to Groenplaats

Area around Antwerp Cathedral     

Cathedral of Our-Lady

Grote Markt and Town hall

Guild house Vlaaykensgang

Hoogstraat and Grote Pieter Potstraat

Printers museum Plantin-Moretus

Museum Mayer van den Bergh-Maagdenhuis

Strolling to the Carolus Borromeus church

Rockoxhuis- Rubens tomb at St.Jacobskerk

Cogels-Osylei area, unique in the world (1)

Cogels Osy area, unique in the world (2)

Around the Grote Markt, the guild and corporation houses are the most beautiful of Belgium, after those of the Brussels “Grand Place”. Most of them date from the 16th century but some were restored or rearranged a century ago using the original plans. Only a few houses are totally authentic, with their step gables like no.5 “Kuipershuis” (Coopers Hall) also called “De Gulden Mouw” (the golden sleeve) and dates from 1579. The superior part of the house was restored beginning 17th century. At no.7 “the vast house of Crossbowman’s Hall, renamed “Het Pand van Spanje” (The Spanish house). 19th century shop, this Hanseatic house was once a Music Academy and housed the members of the Saint-Lucas guild, assembling the best Antwerp creators in the 16and 17th century. At no.11 you have “Drapers Hall”.
At the other side of the Markt, at no.24, the houses “Het Gulden Schaap” (the golden sheep) and “Sint-Jacob” (Saint-Jacob) are magnificent. The central part of the building (formed by the two houses) is characteristic if the Regency style, marking the transition between baroque and rococo. Conceived about 1736 by Jan Pieter van Baurscheit. At no.38, the house “De balance” (the balance), was owned by the Draper’s guild, the oldest of all Antwerp corporations. Rebuilt after a fire in 1541, this house can be proud of having a superb façade decorated by bas-reliefs illustrating the Drapers at their work. At no. 40, the house “Roodenborgh” belonged once to the tanners and shoemakers. Restored in 1644 and enhanced by a baroque façade, this house –one of the most beautiful in Antwerp---became the home of the carpenters in the 18th century. Entirely restored it’s today the meeting point of numerous journalists. It has superb vaulted caves.
Return direction Town Hall to the Suikerrui, at the left side of Town Hall, have a look at the statue of a dockworker, glorified by Constantin Meunier in 1885. Take the Oude Koornmarkt, packed with restaurant, pizzerias and other cafes but stop in front of no.26, the house “De Cluyse” which stone façade is one of the oldest in Antwerp. Continue to no.16 and penetrate inside the “VLAAYKENSGANG” where you will have the feeling you’re back in the middle ages. It’s the smallest street of Antwerp. “Vlaay” or “Vlaai” or even “Vla” means “tart” in Dutch. Guaranteed excitement! We are in the fief of the bell ringers and Shoemakers of the 16th century: the real tower carillon music amateurs gather here on summer Monday nights when the invisible magician carillon player, high up in its cathedral tower, embroids its lace arabesques in the velvet of the night…. Pas the very narrow corridor, bordered by modest and very old houses, still inhabited today.

Leave the Vlaaykensgang and take the Pelgrimstraat. At you left admire the view on the spire of the cathedral. In the middle of this pedestrian street, where you wouldn’t be able to move in the summertime because of the masses of people going out for a drink or dance, the café “Pelgrom”, with its vast vaulted caves offers you abbey beer at candlelight and attracts all those who like an aperitif with chandeliers. Difficult to find a place there ends of the week, especially in winter….