certainly magnificent is the “grote markt” of antwerpen. the grote markt is beautifully surrounded by the stadhuis gijdenhuizen (town hall) and the so-called houses of the guilds or corporations. in the background the tower of o.l. vrouwe kathedraal (in the connected handschoenmarkt) completes the view. a large part of the grote markt burned down in 1576.

.................grote markt, antwerpen, belgium, 2005

most of the houses were rebuilt afterwards by h. vredeman, the town architect, in flemish renaissance style. the eye-catcher is the town hall. it is one of the oldest renaissance buildings in the low countries, finished in 1564 by architect c. floris de vriendt. in the middle stands the brabo fountain. nowadays the grote markt is one of the most pleasant squares in the city. during beautiful warm summer days most people choose this spot to enjoy a refreshing beer on one of the many patios.

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:: ..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m.. ::
sociability	10	:: more about the evaluation method ::		ceremonial	x	:: more about the types of squares ::
uses & activities	10			religious
access & linkages	10			social
comfort	9			residential
image	10			court yard
tourist value	10			with park
total	59			street, shopping