Besides being one of the oldest diamond centers in Europe, Antwerp was also the home of Peter Paul Rubens. Rubens House is nowadays turned into museum, devoted to the life and art of this notable artist. In fact, it was the house Rubens built for himself and his family. Regardless, there are fewer paintings by Rubens, as mostly they are exhibited in the world-known museums. On the contrary, visitors are offered to observe his sketches, simple designs and portraits. In addition, the entire construction might be considered Rubens’ art work, as it was designed and performed under the painter’s guidance, impressed with Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles.
安特衛普不僅是歐洲最古老的鉆石中心之一,也是彼得·保羅·魯本斯(Peter Paul Rubens)的故鄉。魯本斯故居現在已被改造為博物館,展示這位著名藝術家的生活和藝術。實際上,這座房子是魯本斯為自己和家人建的,而屋內魯本斯本人的畫作并不多,因為畫作大多都被送到知名博物館展出了。可是,游客們也有機會細細觀看他的素描、簡單的設計和肖像畫。除此之外,此建筑本身就是一個藝術杰作,由魯本斯親自設計和監造,深受意大利文藝復興和巴洛克風格的影響。
15 km away from Brussels travelers might find Gaasbeek castle. This is one of top ten castles in Belgium in all its glory. Notwithstanding it was founded in the 13th century, the modern image has been preserved since the 19th century. It has experienced numerous renovations due to constant battles and fires. All in all, to date one has a chance to observe a gorgeous interior adorned with magnificent collections of Renaissance painters, museum archive abundant in the documents of the 19th-20th century and marvelous gardens around. Recently, Gaasbeek castle became a subject matter of Guerlain Company’s sponsorship. Therefore, regular exhibitions of perfumes are organized there.
出了布魯塞爾再有15千米就是加斯比克城堡,一座享有比利時十佳城堡之一的榮耀的城堡。盡管建于13世紀,它現在的外觀自19世紀以來便沒有再變過。在歷史上,它因戰火洗禮而經過多次修葺。總之,時至今日,游客們有機會入內觀賞它流光溢彩的室內設計、文藝復興時期的杰作,豐富的19到20世紀檔案以及周邊設計奇妙的花園。近日,加斯比克城堡得到嬌蘭公司的贊助,因此會有一些定期的香水展出。
The spirit of medieval times might be noticed in historical center of Mechelen. In particular, it is an oval square, surrounded by city walls that were built in the 13th century and partially ruined in the 19th. The main attraction of Mechelen is St. Rumbold’s Cathedral, situated nearby. Its carillon is considered the best one in Europe, so the city livelihood is almost under control of cathedral chime-balls. 49 tollers were casted since 1640.
梅赫倫頗具古風的市中心最引人注目的它的中世紀風情。那是一個橢圓形廣場,周邊有13世紀建造的圍墻環繞,雖然部分圍墻曾在19世紀遭到毀壞。梅赫倫最重要的景點就是位于附近圣伯姆特大教堂。教堂的鐘聲被公認是全歐首屈一指,所以梅赫倫城里的一切的大事小情都是在鐘聲的指引下慢慢進行。從1640至今,已有49個個鐘被使用。