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VIEWS FROM A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
#6 - ANTWERP, HOLLAND
Size: 5" x 3"
Copyrighted: 1891
Lithographer: Joseph P. Knapp
  
Illustrations: Antwerp Cathedral; Milk-Maid; View of Antwerp; A Fisherman; The
Fish Market
| Reverse - Text |
Left section:
GRIND
YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section: |
| ANTWERP, HOLLAND. |
| This chief commercial
city of Belgium, lies 50 miles
from the open sea, in a level
tract, on the right bank of the
Scheldt. Antwerp seems to have
been founded by the Saxons some
time before the eighth century.
It began to rise in prosperity at
the beginning of the twelfth
century, and in the sixteenth
century had the name of being the
richest commercial city in
Europe, but the wars of that
century suddenly reduced its
glory. |
| Antwerp
was formerly surrounded by walls
and was also defended by a
citadel, erected by the Duke of
Alva in 1568. The walls have been
removed, giving place to streets
and boulevards, detached forts
being placed at some distance
from the city. After its
subjection to French rule at the
close of the last century,
Napoleon I. expended large sums
of money in military and
commercial improvements. It was
released from French possession
in 1814, and after other
vicissitudes was restored to the
Belgians in 1832. |
| Its
general appearance is highly
picturesque, from the many
churches, convents, fine public
buildings and antique houses of
the older portion. The principal
street, called Place de Meir, is
one of the finest streets in
Europe. The Cathedral of Notre
Dame is the largest and most
beautiful specimen of Gothic
architecture in the kingdom. It
was 80 years in the course of
erection. It is 500 feet long,
has six aisles, and one of the
towers is 403 feet high. It
contains the celebrated painting
by Rubens, "The Descent from
the Cross," also his famous
picture, "The Assumption of
the Virgin." The Church of
St. James contains the family
chapel and tomb of Rubens, and a
beautiful altar piece designed by
him. Antwerp is the birthplace of
many distinguished persons. |
| Population, 221,360. |
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