European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine a giant once lived in a Castle on the rive Schalde in what 13 now Northern  collected a heavy loll Tram Ever Boatman who passed his Castle if any Man could not pay the giant chopped Oil his hand and threw it into the River. But of course a hero came along. His name was Silvius Brabo and he killed the giant Cut Oil fus hand and head and threw it into the River. That is How the City of Antwerp got its name Bend Werpen Means throwing of the  or so the Story goes the City s name Moie probably came from the flemish Aan Werp which Means a Promontory in the River but it in t nearly so romantic. And where would the City be Walhout the Antwerp hand which appear on everything from Coats of arms to chocolates and is the Symbol for made in Antwerp the big Bronze statue of Brabo defeating the Gian i is the focal Point of the quote Markl a breathtaking Square of ornate Guild houses Meny of which have Celes on the ground Roar. The 16th-Eenlury town Hall stands at one end of the Square behind the Multi color fluttering of flags from 62 countries. Antwerp to onco again an important City. It had its heyday in the 16th Century Paris with a population of 133,000 and Antwerp with 104,000 were the Only big cities in Europe London had a Mere 60,000 people at the time. Trade Industry and the arts flourished. But in 1585, the protestants were forced to flee the City which was Rulett by the Catholic King Philip ii of Spain and the population dipped almost by Hall. The dutch closed the Mouth of the Schelde and kept it closed for More than 200 years near fatal blow to a City which says we thank god Lor the River Schelde and we thank the River Schelde Lor everything  the struggle to survive was a Long one but today Antwerp ranks among the top five ports in the world and is the world Center of the Diamond Trade. Three quarters of Belgium s millionaires Liva there. The City Cen Krap tourist Busy Lor Days seeing the old town the Harbor the 22 museums. The zoo. After a hard Day s sightseeing it provides relaxation Over a gourmet meal or in a cozy Beer tavern. Is Cathedral houses Lour masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens. Best known As a Painter of voluptuous women Rubens is undoubtedly tha City s favorite son although it also claims the artists Jordaens Van Dick and the Bre Ghela. Rubens House at Wapper 9 has been reconstructed As a museum within the old town the old and new have been tastefully blended. At puckers plan a group of apartment houses was built in the old style All the Way up to their 1 both Century pointed roofs. The Square bears the name of another Antwerp citizen the Man who is to harpsichords what Stradivarius is to violins. Of the 18 Diamond exchanges in the world four Are in Antwerp Antwerp Cut is a Trade term synonymous with Quality As one local Man put it the difference in the Diamond Trade Between Amsterdam and Antwerp is the difference Between kindergarten and  a permanent Diamond exhibition at Szu Straat 23 in the provincial Institute for safely is open free to the Public tuesday sunday 10 a,m,-5 . A new showroom at Ruben Lei 2 is just one place where tourists can buy diamonds lass the 33 percent lax that belgians must pay. Antwerp a 80 Parki and even a Campground inside the City limits but those who want to really get into the Countryside will not have a to go. The City dominates a province of the same name a Flat Green land with plenty of bicycle and walking paths lined with Reeds and poplars. The dikes of Iho Schelde form a unique hiking or biking Trail Between Hin Gene and . Whether one is walking or Riding Auto tour routes Are also sign posted he finds picturesque villages farms and abbeys popping into View with great regularity two Well known Art cities in the Region Are Mechelene and Lier. Mechelay once capital of the Netherlands is famous Lor its Carillon tapestries furniture and Beer Lier was Home of the author Felix Timmermans his museum is there. Its town Square is dominated by a gothic Bell lower and a Rococo City Hall. For information about visiting the province of Antwerp Contact Tori Lische federate province and warped Karel Ooms Strakal 11, b-201b Antwerp. Belgium. Tel. 03-2162810. Answer by Linda White travel editor monday August 11, 19bb the stars and stripes Page 13