Marcel Burger - Third time's the charm

Antwerpen (Anvers) is the capital of the province with the same name, the biggest city of the Dutch speaking state of Vlaanderen, and with about 550,000 people the second most populated city of Belgium. It is home to the country's largest port and its relatively relaxed atmosphere, culture, good food and sights attracted 13.5 million day tourists in 2023 (source: Visit Antwerpen).

At the Groenmarkt square, 1996.

Antwerpen is great as a city for nightlife, during the day or at night.

A tuba player somwhere in the centre of the city.

For many Dutch Antwerpen is within short range, and more exotic than the Dutch cities. Although Vlaanderen and the Netherlands share the same language - some expressions, pronunciation, the culture and habits differ. In the 1990s I was lucky enough to live a few months in Antwerpen, to do my practice as a journalist-in-training with the city desk of the regional newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen. The first three photos above are from that time, analogue shots made with 35 millimeter film on a Sigma SLR. Since my time as an Antwerpen resident then I have sporadically returned to Antwerpen, but not as often as I had hoped I would. Below a few photos of my few returning visits.

No photo album on Antwerpen is complete without a classic shot of the Grote Markt square (the city's main square), its historic buildings and the Brabo fountain statue.

Streets, cafés, restaurants, and shops in the city centre of Antwerp, 2007.

Street vendor in the city centre of Antwerp, 2007.

Moving goods at or near the Sint-Andriesplaats square, 2007.

Somewhere in the city centre, 2007.

Pedestrains near the Kaaien, the Schelde river quays, 2007.

The medieval fortress of Het Steen with statue of the giant Lange wapper in front, 2007. The landmark has undergone planned mutilations in recent years.

Side wall of Het Steen.

The way up to the pedestrian terrace on the Schelde river, 2007.

Escalators into the Sint-Annatunnel underneath the Schelde river.

Inside the 572 metres (1,876 feet) long Sint-Annatunnel that connects Antwerpen's historic city centre with later expansions on the western banks of the river Schelde.

MAS - The old harbour cranes

North of the city centre, a unique collection of 15 historic harbour cranes can be visited, with the oldest ones dating back to 1907, and the youngest from 1963. They are arguably the most impressive pieces of the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS; Museum at the Stream), which has its main building nearby. Visiting the cranes from ground level is free, and MAS organizes special visits to climb them. Strolling past them in 2021, the supervisor noticed our cameras and sincere interest in the cranes and allowed us to climb one of them. Although they do not look that high on the photos, getting up the crane was a thrilling experience. Check the MAS website here to learn more.

The MAS' historic harbour cranes lining up on the Schelde river quay, with a view towards the city centre of Antwerpen.

The MAS main msueum building. Neutelings Riedijk Architects let themselves be inspired by the old warehouses of the city, supersized and modernized the classic concept in this 2000 winning contemporary design.