To music by Antwerp
The journey to music continues! There are many interesting places on our planet. Good music, which decorates a virtual journey through our large world, is also quite enough. And today we will get into a big and very beautiful Belgian city that is able to impress its guests with so many - many museums and art galleries, magnificent architectural ensembles of past centuries, the world's first stock exchange, a huge seaport ... What else? And let's see. Hello, Antwerp! Antwerp is the second largest and most important city in Belgium, and it is also one of the world's largest ports. Antwerp is in the north of the country, on the border with the Netherlands. The city is the administrative center of the province of the same name and the historical region of Flanders. The population of Antwerp is about 500 thousand people living on the territory of 200 square kilometers. Big Antwerp stretches over an area of 1400 square kilometers, it is home to more than 1 million people. Antwerp, in addition to being the largest seaport of Europe and the world, is also one of the leading cultural centers of the European Union. Here lived and created the great Rubens, in the city there is a museum dedicated to the famous artist. In architectural terms, Antwerp will give odds to many European capitals, for a long history of the city's existence, a magnificent architectural ensemble was created that amazes with its integrity and grandeur. And Antwerp is the world diamond capital, the city is engaged in both cutting and selling diamonds on a global scale. The history of the city totals almost fifteen hundred years. The first mention of the city appeared in the 7th century, already at that time there was a castle. The name of the city appeared due to the legend that the giants lived in the local lands and collected a tribute from all carriers across the river Scheldt. For those who did not pay tribute, the giant cut off his hand and threw him into the river, so the name Antwerp appeared - "throw a hand." Antwerp is one of the main cultural centers of Europe, and this is not looking at the industrial direction of the city's economy. Among the main attractions include ancient buildings, monuments, museums, art galleries. The Town Hall is one of the first buildings in the Renaissance style, at least in Belgium. In architectural terms, the Town Hall building is a compilation of the Dutch Gothic school and the Italian Renaissance. The Town Hall was built in the 60s of the 16th century, at the very top of the economic and commercial power of Antwerp. After 10 years, the Town Hall burned down during the anti-Spanish uprising, and was completely restored only in the 19th century. One of the most crowded and beautiful squares of Belgium is the Great Market, this is the most important attraction of Antwerp. The ensemble of the square was created in the 16th century and is an outstanding monument of Belgian architecture of the time. Around the square are the buildings of the Guilds, the Town Hall of Antwerp, and in the very center of the square there is a monument to Brabo the soldier who defeated the giant from the legend about the foundation of Antwerp. In Antwerp is one of the largest zoos in Europe. It contains more than 5 thousand animals. The Antwerp Zoo is also one of the oldest - it was founded in 1843. Entrance to the zoo costs about 12 euros for adults and 9.5 for children. Opposite the zoo is the so-called "golden quarter", through which passes 85% of the world's turnover of precious stones. Here is the Diamond Museum - the largest in the world. Let's spend some of our time sitting near the screens of our monitors, listen to funny music and look at the views of this Belgian city. To the music of Antwerp!