If you go to Antwerp (and you should) I'd recommend a trip to Middelheim Park in the leafy eastern suburbs, which has a fine open-air collection of sculptures.
Some are out on the lawns, in the open:
Others lurk in the woods:
Or sit on the paths:
It's the one place in the city I try to see on each visit.
It's not as though Antwerp lacks cultural sites, of course – far from it – but as Rembrandt is to Amsterdam, so Rubens is to Antwerp, and I know which city has the better of that one. The Christ in The Elevation of the Cross in the cathedral looks like he spent so much time working out it's a wonder he ever managed any preaching or miracle-working. 40 days in the wilderness? More like 40 days on an intensive protein bulk diet regimen combined with long sessions pumping iron. Gotta look good on that cross.
I much prefer the landscapes. Water and sky:
That's the Rupel, south of Antwerp, just before it joins the Schelde. There are now wind turbines up by the power station ahead instead of the old windmills, but not much has changed.
Mick Hartley 
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