Europe Explored » flanders https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 The city of Antwerp with one of the largest seaports in Europe | Belgium https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/30/the-city-of-antwerp-with-one-of-the-largest-seaports-in-europe-belgium/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/30/the-city-of-antwerp-with-one-of-the-largest-seaports-in-europe-belgium/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:50:57 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4810 Renowned for being the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp is the second largest city and municipality in Belgium. It’s also the capital of the province of Flanders. But more than anything else it’s a truly fascinating place to visit; a cosmopolitan place full of beautiful architecture and historical buildings. The old city centre is […]

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]]> Renowned for being the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp is the second largest city and municipality in Belgium. It’s also the capital of the province of Flanders. But more than anything else it’s a truly fascinating place to visit; a cosmopolitan place full of beautiful architecture and historical buildings.

The old city centre is built around a cathedral, the most impressive in Belgium. The cobbled lanes and backstreets are packed with bars, antique shops, art galleries, chocolatiers, designer boutiques and diamond shops, making Antwerp a haven for people who like to shop. Tucked away between these shops are restaurants bursting with delicious meals — Antwerp has a reputation for having some of the best food in the region.

The people of Antwerp are known for their easy-going lifestyles and their cheerful dispositions; they’re thought to be some of the happiest people on earth because of the relaxing and enjoyable nature of the city. Fashion designers, painters, musicians, actors, dancers, poets, publishers — they all flock to Antwerp, creating a lively cultural scene.

Not only is the cultural scene lively; so is the nightlife. They say life pulsates in Antwerp like nowhere else in Flanders. Antwerp’s club culture has expanded; in summer the regenerated docklands to the north and south of the town beat and pulse with music.

Antwerp truly has something for everyone; you can spend your days relaxing, shopping, eating and taking in the beautiful buildings and history of the town but spend your nights partying and having fun.

The city of Antwerp has also one of the biggest and most important seaports in Europe.


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]]> https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/30/the-city-of-antwerp-with-one-of-the-largest-seaports-in-europe-belgium/feed/ 0 Gravensteen Castle in Belgium https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/28/gravensteen-castle-in-belgium/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/09/28/gravensteen-castle-in-belgium/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:22:34 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=1804 Gravensteen Castle is located in the city of Ghent, at the north-west side of Belgium. The present castle was built in the 12th century by count Philip of Alsace but at the same place was wooden castle already in the 9th century. Since 14th century, when Counts of Flanders abandoned the Gravensteen castle, served as […]

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]]> Gravensteen Castle is located in the city of Ghent, at the north-west side of Belgium. The present castle was built in the 12th century by count Philip of Alsace but at the same place was wooden castle already in the 9th century. Since 14th century, when Counts of Flanders abandoned the Gravensteen castle, served as a court and jail until it fell into disrepair. People had started to dismantle it slowly and the material used to build their houses.

Just in 1885, the ruins of the castle has been bought by the city of Ghent and started a renovation project. Despite the criticism of people that Gravensteen Castle is not worth repairing, the reconstruction was finally completed. The newly built houses were removed and the walls and dungeon were restored to their original condition.

Currently, this monument attracts more and more tourists each year.


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