7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Antwerp's Handelsbeurs A Secret Gem of Art Deco Architecture
Antwerp's Handelsbeurs, a hidden gem of art deco architecture, has recently undergone a full restoration and is now open for visitors to explore its impressive colonnade and soak up the atmosphere of this historical trading center.
The Handelsbeurs was the first building in the world designed specifically to serve as a stock exchange when it was completed in 1531, making it a pioneering architectural achievement of its time.
The building's distinctive Art Deco style, with its impressive colonnade and intricate stone carvings, was a departure from the typical Gothic or Renaissance architecture seen in most historic European trading centers.
Despite its grand scale and significance, the Handelsbeurs remained largely unknown to many visitors to Antwerp until recently, when a comprehensive restoration project brought the building back to its former glory.
Interestingly, the Handelsbeurs was constructed using bricks fired in the nearby Rupel River, a unique local material that contributed to its distinctive warm, reddish hue.
The building's design incorporates innovative features for its era, such as a central courtyard that allowed natural light and ventilation, making it an early example of environmentally-conscious architecture.
Surprisingly, the Handelsbeurs remained in active use as a stock exchange until 1997, over 450 years after its initial construction, demonstrating the building's enduring functional and architectural significance.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Antwerp's Handelsbeurs A Secret Gem of Art Deco Architecture
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Ghent's Graffiti Street An Open Air Gallery of Urban Art
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Gravensteen Castle in Ghent Medieval Fortress with a Twist
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - MAS Museum Rooftop in Antwerp Panoramic Views for Free
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - St Bavo's Cathedral Ghent Home to the Mystic Lamb Altarpiece
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Red Star Line Museum Antwerp Telling Untold Migration Stories
- 7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Patershol Neighborhood Ghent Cobblestone Streets and Culinary Delights
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Ghent's Graffiti Street An Open Air Gallery of Urban Art
Ghent's Graffiti Street has become a vibrant canvas for street artists, showcasing the city's thriving and ever-evolving graffiti scene.
The street art is the result of a culture that embraces the reclamation of abandoned buildings, with artists finding permanent walls and designated "tolerance zones" to express their creative visions.
This alleyway has been a legal space for graffiti artists for over two decades, leading to a constantly changing display of colorful murals and diverse street art forms.
The city's street art is not limited to Graffiti Street; the historic city center, Dok Noord, Brugse Poort, and Ledeberg neighborhoods are all popular destinations for exploring Ghent's vibrant and free-thinking cultural identity, where artists are encouraged to express themselves through their works.
The city's approach to embracing and nurturing its street art scene reflects its progressive and inclusive spirit, making it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and urban explorers alike.
Ghent's Graffiti Street, also known as the Werregarenstraat, has been a designated legal canvas for graffiti artists for over 20 years, allowing for a constantly evolving display of colorful murals and street art.
The city of Ghent has established "tolerance zones" specifically for graffiti, providing artists with designated spaces to showcase their work freely, reflecting the city's progressive and supportive approach to urban art.
Interestingly, the Werregarenstraat is located near the former St.
Peter's Abbey, which now features a hidden gem - a small vineyard within its historic Garden of St.
Peter's Abbey.
The vibrant street art scene in Ghent is closely tied to the city's culture of reclaiming abandoned buildings, with many artists finding permanent walls and designated spaces to express their creativity.
Surprisingly, the Werregarenstraat is just one of several popular destinations for exploring Ghent's diverse and ever-changing street art, with other notable areas including Dok Noord, Brugse Poort, and Ledeberg.
Unlike many other cities where graffiti may be seen as vandalism, Ghent has embraced its street art culture, recognizing it as a reflection of the city's free-thinking and artistic identity.
The visual impact of Ghent's Graffiti Street is constantly evolving, as the murals and street art are regularly refreshed, providing visitors with a dynamic and ever-changing open-air gallery experience.
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Gravensteen Castle in Ghent Medieval Fortress with a Twist
Gravensteen Castle in Ghent, Belgium is a well-preserved 12th-century medieval fortress that stands as a testament to the city's rich history.
With its imposing stone walls, turrets, and moat, the castle is an iconic example of medieval architecture and a must-visit destination for travelers exploring the region.
Gravensteen Castle has a remarkable past, having served as the residence of the Counts of Flanders until the 14th century.
After its royal occupants departed, the castle was repurposed for various functions, including a courthouse, prison, mint, and even a cotton factory, showcasing its adaptability and enduring significance over the centuries.
These include the Castle of the Counts in Ghent, which offers visitors a glimpse into the city's medieval past, and the Handelsbeurs in Antwerp, a stunning Art Deco trading center recently restored to its former glory.
Gravensteen Castle was originally built in 1180 by Philip of Alsace, the Count of Flanders, and served as the primary residence for the Counts of Flanders for over 200 years.
The castle's architectural design was heavily influenced by Crusader castles, featuring a large central keep or donjon and a permanent residential palace within the fortified walls.
Interestingly, the castle's moat and defense system are remarkably well-preserved, making it one of the few remaining medieval castles in Flanders with its original fortifications largely intact.
After the Counts of Flanders moved out in the 14th century, Gravensteen Castle was repurposed for various uses, including serving as a courthouse, prison, mint, and even a cotton factory at different points in its history.
The castle's stone walls were constructed using a unique local material - bricks fired in the nearby Leie River, which gave the structure its distinctive reddish hue.
Surprisingly, Gravensteen Castle remained in active use as a courthouse until as recently as 1902, over 500 years after its initial construction as a noble residence.
One of the castle's most fascinating features is its dungeon, which was used to house prisoners during its time as a court and prison.
Visitors can still explore the eerie, dimly lit cells today.
Remarkably, Gravensteen Castle has withstood numerous sieges and attacks throughout its turbulent history, including a failed attempt by French forces to capture the fortress in
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - MAS Museum Rooftop in Antwerp Panoramic Views for Free
The MAS Museum in Antwerp offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy panoramic 360-degree views of the city from its rooftop terrace on the 9th floor, free of charge.
The museum itself is a cultural gem, seamlessly blending Antwerp's rich maritime heritage and contemporary art, providing a dynamic exploration of the city's identity.
The MAS Museum's rooftop terrace stands at an impressive height of 60 meters (197 feet), offering visitors a bird's-eye view of Antwerp's iconic skyline.
Interestingly, the rooftop's design incorporates a special glass balustrade that minimizes visual obstructions, providing visitors with an uninterrupted, unobstructed view of the city.
Surprisingly, the rooftop is open to the public free of charge, making it an accessible and affordable way for both locals and tourists to enjoy Antwerp's breathtaking cityscape.
The rooftop's orientation is strategically positioned to maximize the viewing experience, with different vantage points offering unique perspectives of Antwerp's iconic landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Steen Castle.
Remarkably, the rooftop's design includes a series of staggered levels, allowing visitors to explore different viewpoints and discover hidden corners of the city from above.
Unexpectedly, the rooftop is also equipped with interactive displays and informative signage, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Antwerp's rich history and urban development.
Interestingly, the rooftop's location atop the MAS Museum allows visitors to seamlessly combine their panoramic city views with a cultural exploration of Antwerp's maritime heritage and contemporary art exhibits within the museum itself.
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - St Bavo's Cathedral Ghent Home to the Mystic Lamb Altarpiece
St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium is home to the Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a 15th-century polyptych altarpiece attributed to the van Eyck brothers.
The altarpiece has had a tumultuous history, with wars, fires, and thefts affecting it over the centuries, but it remains permanently housed in the cathedral, the place for which it was originally created.
The Ghent Altarpiece, considered a masterpiece of Early Netherlandish painting, is recognized worldwide for its technical and artistic excellence, and it continues to captivate the art world as it undergoes its latest restoration phase, with the panels in the cathedral being replaced by high-quality color photos during this process.
The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, is one of the most influential paintings ever made, attributed to the van Eyck brothers and completed in
The altarpiece has had a tumultuous history, having been subjected to wars, fires, and theft over the centuries, including its partial theft by the Nazis during World War II.
In 1986, the altarpiece was moved from St Bavo's Cathedral to the nearby Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) Ghent, but the third and final phase of its restoration that began in 2023 will see the panels returned to the cathedral.
During the restoration, the panels in the cathedral will be replaced by high-quality color photos, allowing visitors to still appreciate the artwork while the original panels undergo conservation.
Interestingly, the altarpiece was created using a unique technique known as oil painting, which was a revolutionary advancement in the 15th century and contributed to the exceptional level of detail and realism in the artwork.
Surprisingly, the altarpiece was originally commissioned for the Vijd chapel in St Bavo's Cathedral, but over the centuries, it has been moved and displayed in various locations.
The cathedral itself, with its impressive Gothic architecture and striking stone facade, is a significant cultural landmark in its own right, drawing visitors from around the world.
In addition to the Mystic Lamb Altarpiece, St Bavo's Cathedral is home to numerous other artworks and historical artifacts, including intricate stained glass windows and ornate chapels.
Interestingly, the cathedral's location in the heart of Ghent's historic city center allows visitors to easily combine their visit with explorations of the city's other hidden gems, such as the Gravensteen Castle and the Graffiti Street.
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Red Star Line Museum Antwerp Telling Untold Migration Stories
The Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp offers a poignant journey through the stories of millions who embarked on transatlantic voyages between 1873 and 1934.
The Red Star Line Museum is housed in the original warehouses where millions of European emigrants began their journey to North America between 1873 and
The museum's collection includes over 5,000 personal objects left behind by emigrants, offering a tangible connection to their stories.
Visitors can experience a simulation of the medical inspections that emigrants underwent before boarding, providing insight into the rigorous process.
The museum features an interactive database where visitors can search for information about passengers who traveled on Red Star Line ships.
A restored third-class cabin from a Red Star Line ship is on display, allowing visitors to see the cramped conditions many passengers endured during their voyage.
The museum's rooftop observation deck offers panoramic views of the Scheldt River, similar to what departing emigrants would have seen as they left Antwerp.
A collection of rare ship models, including detailed replicas of Red Star Line vessels, is on display, showcasing the evolution of transatlantic travel.
The museum hosts temporary exhibitions that explore contemporary migration issues, drawing parallels between historical and modern-day experiences.
The museum's archives contain over 100,000 digitized documents related to Red Star Line's operations, serving as a valuable resource for historians and genealogists.
A restored ticketing office allows visitors to see the process of booking passage on a Red Star Line ship, complete with original furnishings and equipment.
7 Hidden Gems to Explore in Antwerp and Ghent A 5-Day Belgium Itinerary - Patershol Neighborhood Ghent Cobblestone Streets and Culinary Delights
Patershol, a charming neighborhood in Ghent, is a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its cobblestone streets and culinary delights.
As you wander through the narrow, twisting lanes, you'll discover independent shops, cozy cafes, and atmospheric bars that provide an authentic taste of Ghent's more domestic side.
The Patershol neighborhood's name originates from the Carmelite Fathers (Paters) who once resided there, combined with "hol" meaning "hollow" or "depression" in Dutch.
The area's cobblestone streets date back to the Middle Ages, with some stones estimated to be over 500 years old.
Patershol's street layout has remained largely unchanged since the 12th century, preserving its medieval charm.
The neighborhood houses over 40 restaurants within its compact 1 square kilometer area, making it one of the most densely concentrated culinary hotspots in Belgium.
Patershol was once home to Ghent's leather industry, with many former tanneries now converted into trendy eateries and boutiques.
The renovation of Patershol in the late 1970s was one of Belgium's first urban renewal projects, serving as a model for other historic district restorations.
The neighborhood's culinary scene includes a Michelin-starred restaurant, showcasing the area's gastronomic prowess.
Patershol's cobblestone streets are laid in a unique herringbone pattern, a technique that increases their durability and aesthetic appeal.
Patershol's narrow streets, some barely 3 meters wide, were designed to provide natural air conditioning in summer and wind protection in winter.
The neighborhood hosts an annual culinary festival called "Patersholfeesten," attracting over 10,000 visitors in just three days.
Despite its popularity, Patershol maintains strict noise regulations, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for its 800 residents even with the influx of tourists and diners.