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Antwerp

Mayor

Bart Albert De Wever

Biography

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Excavations have shown that Antwerp was inhabited as long ago as the Gallo-Roman period. The city appears to have grown up around two settlements: the 'aanwerp' (alluvial mound) from which it takes its name and Caloes.

The city first experienced an economic boom in the 12th century, when the rival port of Bruges started silting up. By the first half of the 14th century, Antwerp had become the most important trading and financial centre in Western Europe, its reputation based largely on its seaport and wool market.

In 1356, the city, which had been part of the Holy Roman Empire, was annexed to the County of Flanders and lost lots of its privileges, partly to Bruges' advantage. Fifty years later, the political and economic tide turned again and as the Golden Age unfolded, Antwerp became a world class metropolis, described as 'the loveliest city in the world'.

By the second half of the 16th century, the city was the focus of politico-religious struggles between the Protestant North and Catholic South (Spain), which led to the River Scheldt being closed. From an economic point of view, this was a disaster. Yet the city continued to flourish culturally until the mid-seventeenth century thanks to painters like Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck, Jordaens and Teniers, printers such as Plantin and Moretus, and the famous Antwerp harpsichord builders.

But from 1650 till the 19th century, Antwerp went into serious decline, as the Scheldt remained closed and the city became little more than a provincial town. It was only after the fall of Napoleon at Waterloo (1815) that Antwerp entered a short period of prosperity, which ended with the Belgian Revolution (1830) and once again the closure of the Scheldt. The river was finally reopened for good in 1863, paving the way for Antwerp to return to its former glory.

Apart from interruptions during the two world wars, Antwerp has experienced steady economic growth since the start of the 20th century and is now home to the second largest port in Europe, as well as the world hub for uncut diamonds.

Belgium / Antwerp / Innovation and Research / Mobility

Drone ships will sail inland form the port of Antwerp

The first two are called River Drone 1 and River Drone 2

May 17, 2023 15:54

Denis Balgaranov

Belgium / Antwerp / Brussels / Economy and Finance / Mobility

Fast charging for electric cars will be a delivery service in Belgium

A new start-up debuts on the streets of Antwerp and Brussels

May 09, 2023 16:19

Denis Balgaranov

Belgium / Antwerp / Energy efficiency / Mobility

Antwerp premiers electric ferry and it's extremely quiet

The new vessel was produced in Estonia, and it will transfer both pedestrians and bikes

Dec 09, 2022 16:35

Denis Balgaranov

Belgium / Antwerp / Culture and Tourism / Innovation and Research

Antwerp's municipal memes aim to correct public opinion on students and alcohol

According to a study, even students think they drink way more than they actually do

Nov 23, 2022 17:10

Denis Balgaranov

Belgium / Croatia / Finland / Italy / Poland / Antwerp / Vantaa / Warsaw / Zagreb / Development / Social City

Antwerp, Pesaro, Vantaa, Warsaw and Zagreb pledge to create inclusive cities for refugees and migrants

The Integrating Cities Charter now has 46 signatories

Nov 17, 2022 13:17

Belgium / Antwerp / Bruges / Energy efficiency / Politics and Reforms

Belgium’s new hydrogen strategy puts Antwerp-Bruges at the heart of Europe’s energy transit

Belgium does not have enough land to effectively build a renewable energy capacity, but it can become a vital energy import hub

Oct 19, 2022 13:01

Denis Balgaranov

Belgium / Denmark / Germany / Netherlands / Antwerp / Copenhagen / Utrecht / Innovation and Research / Mobility

Utrecht named most bike-friendly city in the world for 2022

According to the Global Bicycle Index 2022, most of the top 10 cities were in Europe, with Germany and the Netherlands dominating the list

Aug 15, 2022 17:31

Denis Balgaranov

Belgium / Antwerp / Energy efficiency

Antwerp will offer citizens heat without emitting a single gram of CO2

City authorities just announced that they would develop a central heating grid that will use waste energy from industry and will cover half of the city by 2050

Jun 21, 2022 14:22

Denis Balgaranov