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If you have an interest in architecture, you may want to consider booking a cruise that calls at Antwerp - a Belgian city filled to the brim with historic buildings that tell the tale of the destination's fascinating past.
A brief history of Antwerp
There is evidence that the area was settled in the second or third century AD and was later inhabited by the Franks following the end of the Roman Empire.
The 16th century brought conflict as Antwerp's Protestant faction clashed with the Catholics, eventually resulting in a massacre by Spanish troops.
In the following century, the city's economy grew - with diamonds playing a significant role - and the arts and culture bloomed.
However, when the Scheldt river - on which Antwerp is located - was closed to foreign boats, trade suffered and it took the arrival of Napoleon for things to be set right again.
Historic architecture
Stroll around the now flourishing port destination and you will see many architectural signs of Antwerp's development over various eras.
Examples from the Middle Ages still remain in the metropolis, including the triangular Grote Market - which serves a similar role to a city square - and the remains of the fortifications of a castle on one of the river's banks.
Elsewhere, the underground Wijngaardebrug is the only fully-preserved medieval bridge to be found in Antwerp and is well worth a visit.
There are also many gothic buildings dating back to the period between the 14th and 16th centuries, including the city cathedral and the churches of St James, St Andrew and St Paul, along with houses in the Antwerp triplet style in the Heilige Geeststraat and Stadswaag areas.
To explore the city's Renaissance heritage, head to the Karbonkelhuis, which is a building featuring the oldest full facade from the era. The Jesuit Church, Schockaert house and Rodenbach house are also worth a look for their Baroque architectural elements.
A backlash against this style occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries, when Antwerp's residents became keen on a combination of French design and classical antiquity ideas, resulting in a profusion of palaces - such as Hotel van Susteren and the Bishop's Palace - and more modest homes like Grote Robijn and Osterriet House.
Neo-Gothic and Neo-Baroque architecture rose in popularity in the second half of this period, leading to structures like St George's Church and St Charles's Chapel. Art Nouveau then reared its head to produce buildings such as Bootje and Volkshuis in the Zuidwijk area and various houses in the Zurenborg district.
This march away from architectural styles firmly rooted in the past continued with the advent of modernism in the 20th century, which resulted in the country's first skyscraper, the Boerentore, being built in Antwerp, along with St Walburga Church and, later in the century, De Singel theatre.
Post-modernism followed at the tail end of the 1980s, with the premises of atelier Van Roosmalen and the residence at 31a Cogels & Osylei using this type of design. Examples of contemporary architecture include the Plantin college and residential towers along Kattendijkdok, as well as the law courts.
See Antwerp on a northern Europe cruise
As you can see, a trip to Antwerp on a northern Europe cruise will yield many architectural treasures that you are sure to enjoy if you have even a passing interest in building design and history.
The citys thriving port sees many a cruise ships call here, so why not ensure you are on one of these for your next holiday?
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