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Tauck River Cruise: Exploring Antwerp’s History
As part of our Tauck river cruise through Belgium, we’ve arrived in Antwerp—a city rich with history and culture. Known for its pivotal role in trade, commerce, and the arts, Antwerp’s past continues to influence its vibrant present.
After a peaceful night cruising the serene waters of the Scheldt River, we made our way from Brussels to Antwerp. This historic waterway has long been crucial to the city’s development, facilitating trade and connecting Antwerp to the North Sea.
In the 16th century, the Scheldt River played a key role in Antwerp’s rise as one of Europe’s leading ports, a legacy that endures today. The 40-mile journey along this picturesque river was the perfect introduction to the fascinating history that awaits in Antwerp.
On this, our second stop in Belgium with Tauck, we explore a city where echoes of its vibrant past are present at every turn—from its Roman origins to its role as a cultural hub, famously home to the artist Peter Paul Rubens. His masterpieces are still on display today at the Cathedral of Our Lady and his former residence, the Rubenshuis.
At the heart of Antwerp lies the Grote Markt, or Grand Market Square, one of the most picturesque spots in the city. Here, you’ll see some of Antwerp’s most iconic buildings, each a testament to its rich history. The Antwerp City Hall (pictured below) is a stunning Renaissance building adorned with statues of prominent figures from the city’s past. Its façade offers a detailed view of the city’s early artistic and architectural styles.
Surrounding the Grote Markt, the Guild Houses rise with their ornate facades and stunning gables. The brightly colored buildings seen in the second photo represent the former guilds of Antwerp—once the homes of the city’s wealthiest and most powerful merchants. These structures, with their intricate decorations and golden accents, are a lasting reminder of Antwerp’s time as a key player in European commerce.
In the center of the Grote Markt, you’ll find the Brabo Fountain, a remarkable sculpture that recounts the legendary story of the city’s name. According to the myth, a giant named Antigoon demanded tolls from passing ships, and anyone who refused had their hands cut off and thrown into the Scheldt River. The hero Brabo defeated the giant, throwing his hand into the river, and thus, the city was named Antwerp—derived from the Dutch words hand werpen (“to throw a hand”).
For an even deeper dive into the square’s rich history, you can enjoy the accompanying 360º video I captured, giving you a panoramic view of the Grote Markt and all its architectural splendor. The video highlights the Antwerp City Hall, the Guild Houses, and the Brabo Fountain, allowing you to immerse yourself in this stunning historic square as though you were there with us.
As we explore the Grote Markt, it’s clear why Antwerp remains one of Belgium’s most cherished cities. Its blend of architectural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture makes it an unmissable stop on our Tauck river cruise.
See More from Our Journey:
This experience was part of our recent Tauck river cruise through Belgium and Holland.
To see all of our daily highlights, reflections, and photos, visit our full cruise landing page here.
For more information or to book a Tauck river cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI, Grok, or ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
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