Antwerp on foot [antikvár]

/kmiWhen you look closely at the map of Antwerp you will notice that the city is situated mainly on the right bank of the river Schelde. There must be a reason. Indeed, for many centuries the river was a natural and political border. In the 10th century Antwerp was the most important city of the earldom that belonged to the Holy Roman Empire. To the West of the river lay the province of Flanders which was a feudal possession of France. However, the city already had a history before the 10th century. We could go back as far as the 2nd century of our era to discover traces of the first Gallo-Roman settlement. Furthermore we know that on the "aenwerp" (Literally trown-on hence the name Antwerp) of the Schelde a wooden reinforcement was built and that the Danes came to destroy this "castellum". In the 11th century it was rebuilt. City status was achieved in the12th century. In the 13th and 14th centuries the city port began to develop and flourish, when it replaced Bruges as the main trading centre. Antwerp became one of the prominent financial centres of Western Europe where, naturally, many foreign merchants came to settle. At the same time, with this economic development, cultural life and the growth of printing began to unfold throughout. The religious disturbances that raged throughout Western Europe during the 16th century were very serious for Antwerp. TheNorthern Provinces of the Netherlands withdrew from Spanish rule. With the fall of Antwerp in 1585 the city remained submitted to Spain. Freedom of navigation by the river was impeded. The population which amounted to 100.000 fell back to approximately 42.000 people. Prosperity was over.Together with the Counter Reformation the following century brought a revival of arts with P.P.Rubens and many Antwerp artists of widespread fame (e.g.A.van Dyck) After the Austrian regime came the French occupation. Napoleon visited Antwerp and started shipyards and docks: the development of maritime trade began. The Schelde-toll was suspended in 1863 and the quays were straightened in 1885. In the 20th century the first big lock gates were built. Since the end of the previous century Antwerp has regained its international prestige: three World Exhibitions (1885,1894 and 1930), and the 7th Olympic Games (1920) are proof of this. In 1993 Antwerp was awarded the title "Cultural Capital of Europe". Nowadays, Antwerp is, with its harbour, a city of world renown, the leading centre of trade and industry. Getting to know the town on foot will enable the visitor to enjoy its rich cultural past, the hospitality of its citizens and the attractive atmosphere of its cosmopolitan social life.