What is the Brabo Fountain, what does it commemorate - and what's all this about hands

Asks marmalade

A. The Brabo Fountain�is in Antwerp, the second city of Belgium. It's named after Silvius Brabo, a legendary hero who ended years of terror for the port by the�giant Antigonus who, according to folklore, demanded huge tolls from all passing ships. Captains who refused to pay had a hand cut off and tossed away by the giant�-�in Flemish, one of Belgium's two official languages,�Antwerp literally means "hand throw".

The fountain�is�located outside the city hall in the centre in Grote Markt. Silvius Brabo is cast in bronze and sits upon a pile of stone.

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Q. What else is there to see in Antwerp

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Rubenhuis: the artist Pieter Paul Rubens is Antwerp's most famous son as he lived in the city for most of his life. His old studio and home has been converted into a museum today, although it only contains a handful of his paintings, many more are displayed in other museums and churches throughout Antwerp. Rubenhuis can be found at Wapper 9, about a 15-minute walk north from the city centre. Just a bit further north from here you can find the St Jacobskerk Church (at Lange Nieuwstraat 73), Rubens is buried inside the chapel and one of his last paintings, Our Lady Surrounded by Saints, is hung close by.

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Onze Lieve Vrouwe Cathedral: is considered to be the finest Gothic church in Belgium and is well worth visiting as its interior especially is very impressive - it is well known for its seven-aisled nave. It is home to three of Rubens' finest paintings which include Descent from the Cross and Resurrection.

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Plantin-Moretus Museum: Jan Moretus was a local artist and close friend of Rubens, and besides containing many sketches by Rubens and Moretus this museum includes many examples of Christopher Plantin's (Moretus' father-in-law) work as a 17th Century printer - the museum houses an old print room and book shop.

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The Museum Voor schone Kunsten: houses some of the finest art collections in Belgium including work by Rubens, van Eyck, Ensor and Delvaux.

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Mayer van den Bergh Museum: houses a beautifully preserved collection of arts and crafts including ceramics, furniture and silverware. It also has a few paintings, the most famous of which is Bruegel's Dulle Griet.

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Stadhuis: dates back to 1566 and was designed by Cornelius Floris and is one of the most important buildings of the northern Renaissance. It is open to the public, via guided tours that take place daily (except Thursday and Sunday) at 2pm.

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Steen and National Maritime Museum: the Steen is all that remains today of the medieval fortress that surrounded the city, it was its original gatehouse and today is home to the National Maritime Museum, which details the history of navigation and shipbuilding in the area.

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St Pauluskerk: is a grand Gothic church that dates back to 1517, it houses Rubens' Scourging at the Pillar.

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Diamonds: although Antwerp does not appear to be an overtly wealthy city, its diamond industry is the world's largest.

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Q. What is the river called that runs through the city

A. The Scheldt River runs through the city and is the focus of its maritime history.

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Q. Can you recommend any good restaurants in Antwerp

A. Antwerp is a very underrated city, and a great place to eat, drink and be merry. Some of its best restaurants can be found on the following streets: Grote Pieter Postraat, Suikerrui and Hendrik Conscienceplein. Two of the best restaurants in the city include Metalurgie a trendy restaurant selling traditional Flemish food, it can be found at Grote Pieter Postraat 1; and Fa�ade, which sells fantastic vegetarian food alongside more traditional fish and meat dishes. Local bands also play here and it has a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, it can be found at Hendrik Conscienceplein 18.

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Q. Can you visit Antwerp using Eurostar

A. Yes, you can take a train to Brussels - which takes 2 hours and 40 minutes from London, and then an additional 35 minutes by train to Antwerp.

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by Karen Anderson