Antwerp - the city of Brabo and Antigone

Oki doki, I will start by saying that I come from Romania, a country where the legends are still alive...remeber Dracula? :-)

So, whenever I visit a city, I come back and I do my research to find out more about that city. Most of the people do that before but I enjoy doing it afterwards, that way I can associate the information with my personal opinions and memories and just daydream about what I saw. Also, in Belgian Culture studies I had to choose a subject specific for Belgium and do a project about that and of course I picked up Belgian legends....So there will be more posts about that but for now, I'd like to share something that I've learned about Antwerp - the legend of Antwerp!

Since it includes heroes and villains and I'm still a child on the inside, of course I like it! ;-)

So, here goes!

Salvus Brabo was a local representative of the Roman  Empire, he's pedigree went back via Romulus to Priamus of Troy who himself was a descendant of Jupiter (Zeus).

In the Roman times, trade ships had to pay a toll at the place where the river Scaldis (now Scheldt) made a U turn. It was just a fee for passing the river; it usually meant a few percent of the value of the stock being transported. Nothing exceptional, this was the norm everywhere. These days, locals pay 45 percent taxes to their government. So a few percent did not make a big difference.

As this was a very profitable business a giant, Druon Antigone, wanted also a piece of the action. He attacked the local castle and killed everyone who stood in his way.

Since then, the giant was the master of the area. He exploited the land and terrorized the shipping industry. He tolled all ships 50 percent of their stock. (even worse then the current Belgium government ;-) )

If a skipper rebelled to this unjustness and refused to pay the toll - he had to fight Antigone for safe passage. As Antigone was a giant, naturally he easily won all the fights. As a penalty and a warning to all future dissidents, he would cut off the hand of the beaten sailor and throw it into the river.

The stories of the violence and cruelty finally reached the ears of Salvus Brabo. When our hero learned of the unfairness and terror, he decided to put an end to the giant’s rule. 

Brabo took his sword and set out on his journey. He traveled for days and days. And then one day… in the distance he finally saw a castle.Our hero didn't wait any longer – he pushed his horse into a swift gallop. Within moments he arrived at the castle and stood face to face with the unreasonable giant.

Without hesitation Brabo drew his sword and a terrible fight followed. The gods themselves heard of the battle and intrigued looked down upon it. They fought for days and days.

To make the story shorter then it could be… Against all odds - Brabo finally managed to slay the giant. Then he cut off Antigon’s hand and threw it far into the river. Today you can see a replica of the giant's hand on The Meir.

So, it's always better to see a city and also know the insights. The more you know, the more misterious it gets, the more interesting, the more you want to know and in my case, the more attached you get to it!

Besides, knowing Belgian legends decreases the culture gap - at least that is my feeling, the more you know, the more at 'home' you feel!