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ANTWERP, BELGIUM
by Joseph Pedro
It may not be as well known as Brussels,
but the northern Flemish city of Antwerp has a location
on the River Scheldt that has allowed it to become a
thriving cosmopolitan center and a must-see cultural
destination for LGBT travelers.
The Port of Antwerp has been a crucial
access point and trade hub for mainland Europe since
the late 15th century, and because of it, Antwerp has
a rich history of wealth and prestige. The importance
of the river is exemplified in a prevailing legend that
explains the origin of the city’s name. When ships
arrived, a giant named Antigoon would demand a hefty
monetary toll. This was until he met a Roman soldier
named Silvius Brabo who chopped off the greedy giant’s
hand (a common practice at that time) and threw it into
the river, hence the name hantwerpen or “hand throwing.”
The large bronze statue in front of City Hall in Grote
Markt is the most famous representation of the story.
The hand has become the unofficial symbol of the city,
and it can even be seen in sweet shops as the ever-popular
souvenir—the chocolate hand.
Signs of the city’s wealth from
the mercantile era are seen in the gorgeous architecture,
from the goliath Cathedral of Our Lady to the stunning
Guild Houses that surround the Grote Markt (all built
in the epic Flemish Renaissance style). Today, Antwerp’s
main symbol of affluence is the diamond trade. Nearly
80% of the world’s diamonds, at some point, pass
through the city.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in
Antwerp since 2003, so if you’re looking for something
truly special, make an appointment at Mac Precious
Stones (Appointments only. Tel: 03-231-9171) with
Michaël Suchowolski who is a diamond trader on
the Diamond Stock Exchange. He’s recently been
taking lots of orders for unique same-sex marriage bands,
and can help you pick out something you’ll cherish
forever. Jewelers that are more traditional and very
well respected by locals include Slaets NV (De
Keyserlei 42 & 46-48. Tel: 03-231-9171. www.slaets-juwelen.be)
and Tensen Juweliers (Huidevetterstraat 46. Tel:
03-231-2139. www.tensen.be).
Along with diamonds and jewelry, you
can’t talk about Antwerp without also talking fashion.
This stylish city has been making waves in the fashion
world since the late 1980s when a group of designers
set up a truck outside London Fashion Week and displayed
their collections. Their radical, couture fashion caused
such a stir that the group garnered the nickname the
Antwerp Six. With a strong sense of native Flemish style
and designs, Antwerp is also home to a shopping experience
similar to that of Milan, New York, or London. From
high-end designers to funky and trendy boutiques, there
is no shortage of places to drop a few hundred Euros.
Visit the Meir for the high-end retailers like
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, etc. For more trendy
and funky shopping, don’t pass up a trip to Kammenstraat.
While there, pay a special visit to Mode Museum (Nationalestraat
28. Tel: 03-470-2770. www.momu.be).
Devoted to everything fashion, the Mode Museum is housed
in a restored 19th-century building and is a must-stop
for the fashion-conscious traveler. Each year, Mode
opens up its collection for just two themed exhibits.
Until August 14, 2011, you can check out an entire exhibition
on knitwear called “Unravel: Knitwear in Fashion.”
This year, Antwerp unveiled the Designers
Against AIDS’ International HIV/AIDS Awareness
Educational Center (www.designersagainstaids.com).
Designers Against AIDS is an organization created and
run by an international array of people in the fashion
industry. Using fashion and art, the organization helps
raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. From pop-up
stores to large campaigns with stores like H&M,
these do-good designers work throughout the year to
positively affect change. The new education center,
built late last year, is a stylish building that hosts
international student activists and provides them with
the tools needed to lead an effective prevention and
awareness program in their home communities. Check their
website for annual events and how you can further support
them.
Once home to Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony
Van Dyck, and Jacob Jordaens, Antwerp’s history
of artistic creativity is only matched by the city’s
modern-day love of the fine arts. This year, Antwerp
will see the largest expansion of its cultural scene
in decades, when the Museum Aan De Stroom (Suikerrui
19. Tel: 03-220-8600. www.mas.be)
or MAS for short, opens to the public on May 17. While
transforming the art scene, the new age, industrial
building designed by the architects Neutelings Riedijk,
has also redefined the city’s skyline. The museum
will house an extensive collection of artwork that includes
artifacts from Antwerp’s early years and the important
role the city played as a crossroads of the world. It
will also be home to one of the largest collections
of artwork in Europe—five centuries of works from
the middle ages to present day.
If you’re tired of walking around
churches to admire the work of Rubens, head for the
The Rubens House-Museum (Wapper 9. Tel: 03-201-1555.
www.rubenshuis.be).
It was in this spot that the artist lived until his
death in 1640. The house was left in complete disrepair
in the 1930s, and the current structure is a recreation.
Still, you’ll love marveling at the Renaissance-Baroque
style that demonstrates the artist’s fame, wealth,
and power in 17th-century Belgium. Lots of work is being
done to revamp the museum in time for a highly anticipated
exhibit titled, “Palazzo Rubens: The Master as
Architect.” Running from September 10-December
11, the museum will showcase Rubens’ lesser-known
skill as an architect.
 Antwerp’s
hospitality scene is constantly evolving, so there is
no shortage of places to fit any traveler’s style.
For a boutique hotel located in the heart of the city,
try Hotel les Nuits (Lange Gasthuisstraat 12.
Tel: 03-227-7441. www.hotellesnuits.be).
The 26-room hotel is new on the scene and offers modern
and sleek décor especially in each of their spacious,
en-suite rooms. Black accents create a moody, yet cozy
feeling for the perfect night’s sleep. Many rooms
come with clear, walk-in showers, making this a great
place to call home with a loved one.
Embracing modernism while not forgetting
Antwerp’s past, Sir Plantin Hotel Antwerp
(Plantin en Moretuslei 136. Tel: 32-3-271-0700. www.sirplantin-antwerp.com)
is a whimsical take on combining the two. This stylish,
yet affordable, 176-room hotel is one of the newer members
of Grand City Hotels. The mix of old and new is best
exemplified in the room style. Fall back on your plush
bed of exquisite old-masters style and contrasting,
illuminated headboard. If the complimentary drinks from
the mini-fridge aren’t enough to satiate your thirst,
head down to the trendy Moretus Lounge and Bar where
drinks are poured throughout the day and evening.
It’s all about the cleansing effects
of an inner-city resort getaway at Maison deLaneau
(Karel Rogierstraat 18. Tel: 32-2-216-2785. www.maisondelaneau.com).
Easily clear your head with the hotel’s minimalistic,
yet exciting design. Vibrant, fashion-centric photographs
pop off the white walls and contemporary furniture perfectly
heightens the calm. Splurge for a room with a private
Japanese garden or a steam room. Accommodations here
won’t break your bank account either as they start
at $190. A spa session is also a must. Go with the New
Life treatment that uses Turkish steam sessions and
exfoliating scrubs—you’ll feel new confidence
when you walk through the fashionable South (Zuid) district.
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