On the way from Brussels to Amsterdam we decided to make a stop in Antwerp, or Antwerpen as it is known to the Flemish. I had lived just outside of Antwerp for several months in 1979, and it was a city that I very much enjoyed.

We arrived at Centraal Station very early in the morning. We stored our luggage and we were off to see the city.

I was delighted to catch a first glimpse of Onze Lieve Vrouw church from near the station . OLV is one of Antwerp's best known monuments.

 This is OLV as seen from the opposite side. It was built about 400 years ago. The original plans called for two identical towers. As you can see, only one of the towers was ever finished.

OLV is significantly taller than any other building in Antwerp. Compare it to the three and four story buildings surrounding it.

An impressive structure indeed.

 A view of the tower looking up from below, near the main doors.

The carillon bells of OLV were one of the best-loved sounds that I remember of Belgium. It delighted my to be nearby when the hour struck.

 The massive doors at the base of OLV. Compare the hieght of the doorways alone to that of the surrounding buildings.

A group of school children were there that day, on a fieldtrip to visit the old cathedral.

 Looking to the right of the stadhuis reveals the old buildings that still line the square in front of it.

At the left edge of the picture is a view of Brabo, the hand thrower, for whom the city gets its name.

 Hand throwing? Brabo? Antwerp? What's the connection?

The full story is quite flowery, but here is the "executive summary."

In the middle ages, as the story goes, a mean and nasty giant controlled the river traffic on the Schelde. Sometimes he demanded exhorbitant tolls. Other times he refused to allow passage.

What were the innocent people of Flanders to do?

Enter Brabo. The brave, young man slew the giant. Then he cut off the giants hand, and threw it across the river.

The city of Antwerp was established on that site. "Hand" (pronounced like "haunt") is the Flemish word for "hand." "Werpen" means "to throw." Thus the city came to be known as "Handwerpen" in ancient times.

The Flemish at times did not pronounce the "H" and the word evolved into "Antwerpen."

 The sun is still rising behind palace-like Centraal Station when we arrive in Antwerp.

We spent about four hours here. That four hours included lunch. We asked around for directions to a good frituur. There I had echte friten met stoofvlees for the first time in 18 years. It was delicious.