Classified as a monument in 1938, it marked the great hours of the Antwerp "Quartier Latin" for years, being considered in the 19th century as "the most modern of Europe". It was entirely restored in 1980-1985; Indeed, the building was in such a ruined state, that real estate promoters had the good idea to demolish it and build a parking lot instead! Luckily the Antwerp mayor of that time, Bob Cools, was heavily opposed and he saved the building. Five years later at a cost of 1.6 million dollars here is the wonderful result. Go inside, admire the architecture, go up to the second floor and have a Viennese coffee and cake in the Viennese café, an incredible beautiful establishment, called "De Foyer". Let's leave the Leopoldstraat behind us with its Botanical Garden, small peaceful garden in the middle of the noisy Antwerp traffic. Its pond, plants and vegetation are really attractive. Very frequented during the weekends due to the affluence during the "Vogelmarkt". Go instead direction Huidevetterstraat (Tanners street) called like this since this now very flourishing shopping area was one packed with tanneries leading to Meirbrug. A small shopping gallery connects the Huidevettersraat with the Korte Gasthuisstraat, very agreeable pedestrian area, with a lot of specialty shops, furnishings, table decoration, tearooms or delicatessen. The picturesque bakery "Goossens", famous for its delicious raisin bread called "Roggeverdommeke" in Antwerp slang. The fact that the shop is so small doesn't take away the savour of its "speculoos" (another Flemish specialty) or the aroma of its sugar bread and exquisite tarts. |
ALSO ON THIS PAGE: > BOURLA THEATRE |
weekend market shopping....eating |
see antwerp >> |
weekend market shopping....eating |
ALSO ON THIS PAGE: > BOURLA THEATRE |
Vogelmarkt (bird market) The Vogelmarkt has to be one of our favorite places. It is a mere five minute walk from our door and on the weekends we are in town, the three of us never miss a Saturday and Sunday. On Sundays, there are birds, chickens, and rabbits of every variety available for sale, hence the name of the market. We stock up on the most wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits among other things like olives and cheeses, gorgeous fresh flowers, herbs, homemade pastas and breads, fishes and meats. You can find the typical Belgian market dealers, as well as Moroccan, Turkish, Italian and Greek dealers. It is a mouth watering walk through shouting vendors and crowds of shoppers. We have brought every visitor that we have had to this market. The olives are so fresh and tasty that Ken Demirs smuggled some home (anchovy stuffed) on the plane! I can't sign off without mentioning the cooked braadworsts with mustard and onions on delicious bread - sam loves them and guests have been known to eat more than one at a time! Please enjoy these pics I have taken over the years. |
Bourla Theatre (taken from Jack's Travel Guide) Take the Orgelstraat and look at the theatre to look at the front façade of this beautiful theatre standing on the Comedieplaats. Built by Pierre Bruno Bourla from 1829 to 1834 it was originally the "Theatre Royal Francais" mainly destined for the francophone bourgeoisie of the city. Like it is now, entirely restored, it evokes in its speechlessness the splendour of illuminated evenings. Ah! The Antwerp soirées of the Belle Epoque! |
Classified as a monument in 1938, it marked the great hours of the Antwerp "Quartier Latin" for years, being considered in the 19th century as "the most modern of Europe". It was entirely restored in 1980-1985; Indeed, the building was in such a ruined state, that real estate promoters had the good idea to demolish it and build a parking lot instead! Luckily the Antwerp mayor of that time, Bob Cools, was heavily opposed and he saved the building. Five years later at a cost of 1.6 million dollars here is the wonderful result. Go inside, admire the architecture, go up to the second floor and have a Viennese coffee and cake in the Viennese café, an incredible beautiful establishment, called "De Foyer". Let's leave the Leopoldstraat behind us with its Botanical Garden, small peaceful garden in the middle of the noisy Antwerp traffic. Its pond, plants and vegetation are really attractive. Very frequented during the weekends due to the affluence during the "Vogelmarkt". Go instead direction Huidevetterstraat (Tanners street) called like this since this now very flourishing shopping area was one packed with tanneries leading to Meirbrug. A small shopping gallery connects the Huidevettersraat with the Korte Gasthuisstraat, very agreeable pedestrian area, with a lot of specialty shops, furnishings, table decoration, tearooms or delicatessen. The picturesque bakery "Goossens", famous for its delicious raisin bread called "Roggeverdommeke" in Antwerp slang. The fact that the shop is so small doesn't take away the savour of its "speculoos" (another Flemish specialty) or the aroma of its sugar bread and exquisite tarts. |
