Museum aan de Stroom (known as MAS; Dutch for: Museum by the Stream)
V McGarvey - cc-by 2023
Antwerp comes from aan de werpe, which is Dutch for "at the throw", referring to where the river throws its sand.
Antwerp recently has had a bit of a bad rap, drug trafficking through its port, and associated organised crime, the port is the largest in Europe behind Rotterdam. However, all this is hidden from the tourist it is, in fact, a fascinating city to visit, with its combination of modern architectural standout buildings, as with MAS below, that sit comfortably beside classic flemish architecture.
Antwerp Building - V McGarvey cc-by 2022
Arriving at Antwerp is a grand experience. Antwerp's central station, gives any visitor possibly one of the most grandest European of entrances. We had travelled by Eurostar for St Pancras to Brussels and then on to Antwerp. You are given the impression that the station had not changed since the the 19th Century, it was built in 1836. However, it was damaged considerably during the Second World War, and was even considered for demolition in the mid-twentieth century due to its deteriorated condition. It was closed in early 1986 for renovation work and opened again later that year. Designed by the architect Louis Delacenserie, it has a mix of architectural styles. (Wikipedia) Its golden domed roof is certainly a breathtaking sight in the Antwerp sunset skyline after a sunny day. Which I was able to witness in the balmy summer of 2023 when we visited. As can be seen below
Antwerp-Centraal Station - V McGarvey cc-by-2022
On a long weekend or a break of a few days, if you get good weather, you do not need to really visit any museums because there is enough to see, walking around the city and taking in the views and drinking the Belgian beer. However, Antwerp has many good museums worth visiting, and given the heat and the recommendations, we visited the De Koninck Museum, the Red Star Line Museum, and the Plantin Moretus House, I think they encapsulated the heritage and the history of the City. De Koninck is a familiar brand for those who know their Belgian beer. Although technically not a museum the interactive brewery tour, gives a fascinating insight into the history of the brewery and how the beers are brewed. You get the opportunity to sit in a simulated drive through the city in a vintage delivery, van and to brew your own beer, together, with an overview of how the industry has changed over the years. Red Star Line Museum is on the site of Antwerp's shipping company Eilandje and tells the personal stories of those who emigrated from Europe in the twentieth century, within the context of emigration today. Plantin–Moretus Museum is a printing museum in Antwerp, Belgium which focuses on the work of the 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus. It is located in their former residence and printing establishment, the Plantin Press, at the Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market) in Antwerp, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 (Wikipedia).
De Konick Museum (V McGarvey - cc-by- 2022)
Red Line Museum (V McGarvey cc-by-2022)
Plantin Moretus Museum V McGarvey cc-by 2022