The Stadhuis (City Hall) dominates the Grote Markt of Antwerp.  It was completed in 1565.  The Grote Markt area is wonderful for people watching, and the shops in the old town surrounding the market are great for browsing.  (You can also find chocolate confectioners and numerous sidewalk cafes in the old town.)  The baroque fountain in front is the Brabo Fountain, which depicts the legend of how Antwerpen got its name.  Two stories are told about the naming of Antwerp; one is boring and the other colorful.  The first is that a Gallo-Roman settlement existed on a mound (aanwerp) near the Steen.  The second is that a giant, Druon Antigoon, lived near a narrow bend in the Scheldt River and collected a toll from anyone navigating the river.  Druon chopped off the hand of anyone who refused to pay.  A Roman centurion named Brabo eventually killed the giant, cut off his hand, and threw it into the river.  Hand werpen (hand throwing) evolved into Antwerpen.  Take your pick.

Photo by:  Linda Garrison

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