Welcome to Flanders, a small region where everything from delicious food to wonderful music takes craftsmanship to new levels. Artistic cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen are home to culinary delights, delicious chocolate and an endless variety of local and artisanal beers. You’ll find cutting-edge design and fashion that’s ahead of its time side-by-side with architecture that’s up to a thousand years old. Our Flemish Masters were experts in their craft, such as Jan van Eyck who revolutionised oil painting techniques. Prepare yourself for an experience: Flanders wants to share its secrets, its delights and its magnificence with you.

Where history, artistic beauty, and hidden secrets await you

FLANDERSBRUSSELS

LEUVEN

MECHELEN

ANTWERP

GHENT

BRUGES

FRITUUR

With over 100 festivals every summer, Flanders is the place to be for music, dancing and life at its best! There’s history

wherever you look! Among other treasures, you’ll find seven UNESCO heritage-sites.

In Belgium, 150 different breweries produce more than 10,000 different types of beer. It’s time to pick your favourite.

UNESCO

HERITAGE

Flemish artist Paul Van Hoeydonck is the only artist with work exhibited on the moon. His statue is known as “Fallen Astronaut”.

Using boats to catch shrimp? Flemish fishermen do it on horseback!

UNESCO

HERITAGE

UNESCO

H

E R ITAGE

Did you know that chocolate

pralines were invented in

Brussels? In 1912, Jean Neuhaus

gave the world a tasty gift that

you’ll be happy to enjoy today!

They’re rebellious and their food is

bursting with flavour and

regional produce. Let our no-nonsense chefs treat you to a

meal you’ll never forget!

ANTWERP

BRUSSELS

GHENTLEUVEN

BRUGES

MECHELEN

ANTWERP

There are bikes galore in Flanders. Why? Join the Flandriens, pedalling your way

across beautiful landscapes and charming little villages to find out!

Berlin 6h. 43min.

Paris 1h. 22min.

London 2h. 01min.

Flanders became a battlefield in the First World War. Pay your respects at Flanders Fields.

The Flemish Masters added colour to the world with visionary artist Jan Van Eyck revolutionising oil-painting techniques.

Brussels was founded in the year 979AD. A thousand years later, the famous capital city is full of history and culture!

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T H E SE F O U R G U I DE S, P A I N T E D B Y R U BE N S, W I L L TA K E Y O U O N A VO YAG E O F D I S C OV E R Y .

YOUR GUIDE ANTHONY VAN DYCK RUBENS' BEST STUDENT

ANTHONY I S INTERESTED IN :PA INT ING , SCULPTURAL STOR IES, PHOTOGRAPHY

YOUR GUIDE BACCHUS GOD OF WINE AND DEBAUCHERY

BACCHUS I S INTERESTED IN :EAT ING & DR INK ING , FEST IVALS, CYCL ING

YOUR GUIDE N IKOLAAS ROCKOX ANTWERP'S MAYOR AND RUBENS' BEST FR IEND

N IKOLAAS I S INTERESTED IN :ARCH ITECTURE , DES IGN , LANDSCAPES

YOUR GUIDE VENUS GOD OF LOVE, BEAUTY AND DES IRE

SHE W ILL GU IDE YOU TO :ROMANT IC PLACES, D IAMONDS, FASH ION & L I FESTYLE

WHO ARE THE FLEMISH MASTERS?

Make sure Flanders is on your travel agenda for 2018 to 2020. Because over the next three years, Flanders is putting the spotlight on the iconic Flemish Masters : Rubens, Bruegel and van Eyck. It will be a feast for the senses, with an abundance of activities and events.

Travel with the Flemish Masters to their homeland and experience their cultural legacy. Discover the program at flemishmasters.com

RUBENS

Peter Paul Rubens is widely known as a successful artist, but he was also an esteemed diplomat, polyglot and art collector. His brilliant spirit lives on in the city of Antwerp today, not just in its baroque paintings and architecture, but also as an inspiration for contemporary artists.

In 2018, the city of Antwerp will celebrate its baroque cultural heritage and the Baroque lifestyle that is undeniably part of the city’s DNA.

BRUEGEL

Pieter Bruegel the Elder is largely responsible for the creation of Flanders’ national psyche and collective consciousness as hard working yet bon vivant. In Flanders, you can still find the beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages and the ‘joie de vivre’ that Bruegel painted so beautifully. But Flanders and the works of Bruegel are much more than that.

2019 is the time to find out just how much more there is to be discovered about Bruegel. Flanders will celebrate the 450th anniversary of the Master’s death with all the honours he deserves : an impressive series of exhibitions and events will showcase what an exceptional artist he was.

VAN EYCK

Since its completion in 1432, millions of visitors from all over the world have travelled to Ghent to admire the altarpiece ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan and Hubert van Eyck. But for more than four hundred years, we haven’t actually been looking at the real van Eyck, but at layers and layers of paint on top of the real thing.

In 2020, the restored altarpiece is finally coming home to the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. There is simply no valid excuse in the world to miss the chance to see this iconic and legendary masterpiece.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

IN ANTWERP

FLEMISH MASTERS2018-2020

DISCOVER THE PROGRAM AT FLEMISHMASTERS.COM

We like to tell you more about Flanders. www.visitflanders.com

Publisher: Peter De Wilde,

VISITFLANDERS, Grasmarkt 61, 1000

Brussels, Belgium — Legal depot :

D/2017/5635/44/4

copyrights: The State Hermitage Muse-

um, St. Petersburg — Lukasweb - Art in

Flanders — Royal Museum of Fine Arts

Belgium (Brussels) — Het Rubenshuis

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rièrestraat

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traat

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erod

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kaai

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kaai

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nckkaai

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kaai

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kaai

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Minderbroedersrui

ANTHONY VAN DYCKRUBENS' BEST STUDENT

PAINTING, SCULPTURAL STORIES, PHOTOGRAPHY

RUBENS HOUSEDiscover Rubens’ versatility in this stunning palace where the master lived and worked.

ANTWERP CATHEDRALAn impressive Gothic church where Rubens created four of his masterpieces. These can still be seen today. Like a challenge? Climb the 515 steps to the bell tower.

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO CHURCHThe very best Rubens church. He designed parts of the church himself and his master-piece The Return of the Holy Family can be found there.

ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTSThis museum is currently undergoing renovations and will open its doors again in 2020.

M HKAAfter the war, Antwerp became a cultural hotspot in Europe with a strong avant-garde theme. You can experience this artistic heritage here.

ANTWERP PHOTOGRAPHY MUSEUMThe FOMU zooms in on both young Belgian talent and internationally renowned photographers.

MAAGDENHUISThe lower floor of this former girls’ orphanage now serves as a museum. Both the art collec- tion and the historical site are certainly worth a visit.

MUSEUM MAYER VAN DEN BERGHFritz Mayer van den Bergh was one of the most important art collectors in the country during the 19th century. His collection contains several masterpieces by the Flemish Masters which can still be viewed in an intimate, homely setting.

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BACCHUSGOD OF WINE AND DEBAUCHERY

EATING & DRINKING, FESTIVALS, CYCLING

CYCLINGUse the city bike to move about the city easily. Tourists can buy a daily pass.

DE KONINCK BREWERYThe city brewery in Antwerp brews delicious beer as well as a detailed history of the brewery and beer in the interactive visitor centre.

SEEFBIEREven in Rubens’ time, a pint was a sought-after tipple. In the 17th century, they used to drink Antwerp Seefbier. A crowdfunding campaign breathed new life into the beer in 2012 and saw the beer return to the market.

THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENTDrink a glass of beer under the approving eye of angels in this unique restaurant/café full of religious décor from pulpits to saints.

CAFÉ KULMINATOROne of the 10 best beer cafés on the planet, according to the leading beer website ratebeer.com.

DAGERAADPLAATSHave a relaxed pint with the locals in this welcoming square.

RASEnjoy a delicious meal on the banks of the Scheldt. Enjoy a stunning sunset too, free of charge!

GRAANMARKT 13Top chef Seppe Nobels is one of the top culinary talents in our country. At number 13, Graanmarkt, you can discover his unique creations.

CIRO'SA classic among Antwerp's brasseries.

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COGELS-OSYLEIThis street is a unique combination of masterpieces from the architectural heyday of Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Neoclassicism and Eclecticism.

CYCLE PAST THE ARCHITECTURAL ICONS OF ANTWERPGo with a guide, or follow the route at your own speed.

NEW PALACE OF JUSTICELaw and order are the priority in this spectacular legal centre. The daring construction is the work of Richard Rogers, who also drew the plans for the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

DESINGELThis cultural temple is a beacon of contemporary arts: theatre, dance and music.

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VENUSGOD OF LOVE, BEAUTY AND DESIRE

ROMANTIC PLACES, DIAMONDS, FASHION & LIFESTYLE

CENTRAL STATIONThis train station is more than a point of arrival or departure; it's a destination in itself. The eclectic building dates from the beginning of the 20th century and has been frequently named as one of the most beautiful stations in the world.

DIVA MUSEUMThis brand new experience centre offers an ode to Antwerp, capital city of the diamond. Sparkling stones have been processed in this city since 1447 and DIVA offers a glimpse into this rich history and why Antwerp has been the centre of this world for so long.

ST. ANNA'S PEDESTRIAN TUNNELSt. Anna’s Tunnel was opened in 1933 and is still going strong. You can access the tunnel via an authentic wooden escalator, walk under the Scheldt and view Antwerp's skyline from the left bank.

BOTANICAL GARDENThis unique green space in the city centre has a history of over 200 years. In a genuine gingerbread house, you’ll also find the fantastic lunch restaurant Het Gebaar. Reservations are advised.

VLAEYKENSGANGThis secret alley dates back to 1591. Step through the door to the Oude Koornmarkt and travel back several centuries in time.

MIDDELHEIM PARKThere is no more beautiful location for a romantic walk than this stunning sculpture garden. Known as one of the best in Europe.

FASHION DESIGNERSAntwerp is a centre of fashion. Around Nationalestraat, you will find the fashion museum and various stores from top designers.

MEIRHere, you will find stunning city mansions housing big fashion chains: the perfect shopping area.

KLOOSTERSTRAATWander around this vintage street in Antwerp.

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#D I S C OV E R A N T W E R P

T H E S E F O U R G U I D E S, PA I N T E D BY R U B E N S, W I L L T A K E YO U O N A

VOYAG E O F D I S C OV E RY .

GROTE MARKTRubens was a leading light in the flamboyant Baroque period. The architecture of the town hall, in the Grote Markt, is a gem from that period.

MUSEUM AAN DE STROOM (MAS) AND EILANDJERubens' designed an architectural plan for Eilandje (The Little Island), which was ultimately developed in the 21st century. Now, the district is home to the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), many welcoming terraces and trendy eateries.

PORT HOUSEThe sparkling Port House is the official building of the port of Antwerp. This architectural gem was designed by world renowned architect Zaha Hadid.

MUSEUM PLANTIN-MORETUSChristophe Plantijn and his son-in-law Jan Moretus were pioneers of letterpress printing. This old printing works is now a museum; the only one in the world acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

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NIKOLAAS ROCKOXANTWERP'S MAYOR AND RUBENS'

BEST FRIEND

ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, LANDSCAPES

ROCKOX AND SNIJDER HOUSEJE Former mayor Nikolaas Rockox and painter Frans Snijders were neighbours and friends with Rubens. Together, their homes create a beautiful city palace which is now used as a museum.

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