Diamonds

Antwerp has traded and cut diamonds since the 15th century; most of the world’s rough diamonds still pass through it.

Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Antwerp’s diamond trade goes back to the 15th century. Today its diamond quarter by the Central Station, a few streets of offices and workshops, handles most of the world’s rough diamonds.

The cut that gives a diamond its sparkle, with many facets, owes much to the Antwerp cutters. Ride through Antwerp in 3D ›

More in Antwerp

Grote MarktThe square of the city hall and the guild houses, with the Brabo fountain in the middle.

Brabo FountainThe Roman soldier Brabo throwing the giant’s hand away: the legend behind the city’s name.

City HallA Renaissance city hall from 1565, all flags and columns, on the Grote Markt.

Cathedral of Our LadyThe largest Gothic church in the Low Countries, its spire 123 metres high, with four Rubens altarpieces.

Het SteenThe oldest building in Antwerp, a castle on the Scheldt from the Middle Ages.

VleeshuisThe Gothic hall of the butchers’ guild, striped in brick and white stone.

GroenplaatsThe square at the foot of the cathedral, with a statue of Rubens in the middle.

Plantin-MoretusThe house and workshop of a great printing firm, with the two oldest printing presses in the world.

MeirAntwerp’s great shopping street, lined with palaces and department stores.

RubenshuisThe house and studio where Peter Paul Rubens lived and painted from 1610.

Antwerp handsBiscuits and chocolates in the shape of a hand, after the Brabo legend.