Brussels - Waterloo - Antwerp

This holiday is turning out to be History Central! I did not really plan it that way, but more and more I am being exposed to great historical events. I suppose that's one big advantage of a holiday in Europe - around every corner lies a famous historical event.

Before I start, here's our bus. Brand new apparently and very comfortable. Our driver's name is Peter and he's a young lad, but a very good driver. Our travel director is Nathalie and she is very experienced. She has been running tours for 28 years, so she knows her bikkies! We're very lucky!

Our bus and driver Peter

So today's historical excursion was to Waterloo, just 30 mins outside Brussels. The day was cold and gloomy, with rain threatening, but luckily the rain did not happen. (Although right now as I write this, there is a massive thunderstorm happening overhead!)

Our first stop at Waterloo was an entry to the Museum which outlined the whole history of that era and the politics around that time. As I had already taught the French Revolution at school, I was very interested in all that they displayed that portrayed that time.
Of course, you can't talk about the French Revolution without the guillotine...

Guillotine

They shared many interesting things, but I'll just post a few pics to keep you interested!!!

Napoleon Bonaparte

French  Soldier Uniforms from around that time

Of course in case you don't remember, the Battle of Waterloo was where Napoleon was defeated by a combination of English - led by the Duke of Wellington  - and Prussian troops led by General Blucher.
The museum showed a 3D movie which was a summary of the battle complete with surround sound and effects. It was very well done.

When we had  finished with the movie, an option was to walk up the Lion's Mound which was over 200 steps....

Lion's mound

Fortunately, I couldn't find the entrance to the compound to complete that walk, but conversely, I also could not find the opening to the coffee shop! Ying and yang perhaps...????

Anyway, it was freezing by this time and we had to return to the hotel  in Brussels to drop off those who were not coming to the optional extra - a trip to Antwerp in the afternoon. And of course, guess what song we played as we drove back to the hotel.... we're all of a similar age and of course we all knew ABBA!!!!

I was so glad I chose to go on the afternoon trip to Antwerp - it was fantastic! We had a wonderful local guide called Min who knew so much stuff about Antwerp and took us to lots of amazing places.

We started with a walk to the town square in Antwerpen (as it is locally known).
That was dominated by two features - the Cathedral (which Min told us was one of the largest in the world) and the fountain and statue of Silvius Brabo . 

Brabo fountain

 It's a ripper of a story, as you often find in the European traditions!
Apparently there was a local dragon who controlled the river and made everybody who went past pay a tax, and if they didn't he cut off their hand and threw it into the river. Silvius Brabo was a mythical Roman soldier who apparently killed the dragon, cut off the dragon's hand and threw that in the river, And that is how Antwerp got it's name - it literally means "Hand throwing"
(I have to admit I love getting all  the local stories - one big advantage of going with a tour group as opposed to travelling on your own!)

Next Min took us to the Cathedral to see the art of Peter Paul Rubens.

Antwerp with  Cathedral in the background

Antwerp Cathedral

Inside Antwerp Cathedral

Sadly I didn't get to Mass today, but I certainly received a big dose of "kultcha" and spirituality through viewing these paintings. Min was quite an expert on art history and talked quite a bit about the role of the Catholic Church in Antwerp, and the  iconclasm which saw many statues removed from Catholic Churches in this country around that time.. I can't remember all the bits she told us, but click on the link above if you would like to learn more about him...
Here's a few of his masterpieces that are just freely available for viewing in this beautiful Cathedral.

Rubens Masterpiece with Min giving us a talk

It was a wonderful experience to be in that place, although I have to admit it was packed with bloody tourists!!!!

One more art piece to share...
Min said they had quite a progressive bishop there and he said that in the days of Rubens, they displayed his paintings while he was still alive and well. So this Bishop said they should display a contemporary art piece from someone who was still living. And here it is...

It portrays a modern person trying to balance life in the modern world with the challenges of the Cross as depicted in Christianity.

My mind is continually broadened as I travel....

Just a few more pics of Antwerp in general...

In the town square

Antwerp street

Guild houses

We had a free  30 mins at the end of the tour to get souvenirs or coffee or experience Belgian Beer..... well I know it was cold but.....

When in Belgium....

I'm just doing what my nephew Tommy told me to do last time!!!!

It's been a great day. Hope you enjoyed the stories too... :)

And thinking of all my colleagues who are returning to school after the Term  1 holidays!!! Sorrrrrryyyyy.... 😢😢😢