Antwerpen part 1

Lets start with the legend of Brabo and Antigoon, no not a 15th century Eurovision song entry but, some say, the origin for the naming of the city.

This greenish chappie below is our hero, Silvius Brabo, a roman soldier. Sorry but I didn't manage to get a picture of his adversary.

A long time ago in a city far far away lived a giant named Druoon Antigoon. He stalked the banks of the river Scheldt which flows through Antwerp and was a major trade route for the city.
Antigoon demanded a toll be paid by the sailors on the Scheldt and if any refused he would cut off their hands as a punishment. (a bit harsh in my opinion but consistent with the times and the code of practice for giants).
Silvius Brabo challenged the giant and finally defeated him. He then cut off Antigoons hand and cast it into the river as an act of defiance.
Hant (hand) werpen (to throw) the act of hand throwing sprung from this legend and after dropping the "H" Antwerpen was named. Or maybe you know different.

Nice statue though. It's also a fountain and was created by Jef Lambeaux in 1887. Thanks Jef.

This is the Cathedral of Our Lady on the other side of the Grand place. Started in 1352 and not completed until 1521. A build time un-equalled until recently with that of Wembley Stadium.

In the small street to the left of the awning is an Irish bar run by a couple of Dublin's finest and the Guinness flowed like, Guinness, hence the none too sharp night shots.

Another side of the square is bordered by these magnificent guild houses.

Although the originals were destroyed by fire in 1576, they were re-built by the town architect, Hans Vredeman. Renovated again in the 19th century, the grandest is number 7 which belonged to the Guild of Archers and is crowned by a gold statue of St George.

Not sure what St G has to do with bows and arrows but there you go.

Behind the Brabo fountain is the Town Hall. Completed in 1564 it was meant to be a Gothic masterpiece but most of the building materials were used to defend against attack from the army of Maarten Van Rossern. (Rumour has it he picked on Antwerp because they spelled Martin in a silly way). I think the Antwerp defenders must have thrown bricks and rubble to repel the invaders and it took them 20 years to collect it all again.

By the time the city was in a more stable financial position the fashions had changed and the gothic style was replaced by renaissance. I'm sure Dive will reflect on the "superposition of Dorian and Ionic columns" but for the rest of us it just looks a little fussy and confused I think.

The two statues either side of the gilded coat of arms are The Lady Justitia and The Lady Prudentia, names worthy of a place in any good Carry-on film. Above them is a Madonna which was placed there by the Jesuits during the counter-reformation to replace a Brabo statue considered "too heathen" for the time.

I think this would be a good one for Dives "Look-up" series.