Antwerp's compact city square was recently pedestrianized, so you can now safely gaze at the magnificent buildings surrounding the square.

The magnificent 16th century
city hall dominates the relatively
small city square . The square's triangular shape originates
from the municipal ground during the era of the Franks.
In the middle of the square is a large fountain, built
in 1887 by the architect Jef Lambaux. It depicts Antwerp's
symbol: the mythical hero Brabo. According

to
an Antwerp Legend, the giant Antigoon demanded a high
toll for each ship that wanted to enter the city. If
the ship's crew did not want to pay the toll, their
hands were cut off. The hero Brabo fought the giant,
cut its hand and head and threw the hand in the river.
The fountain's statue depicts Brabo throwing the giant's
hand in the river Scheldt and symbolizes the free river.
The city square is maybe best known for the beautiful
houses of the Guilds which align the square. Those buildings
are relatively new. The original houses were destroyed
in the fire of 1576. They were rebuilt in Flemish renaissance
style, but were revamped again in the 19th century,
resulting in the current lavishly decorated houses.
Note the beautiful statues on top of the Guild buildings.