The Flanders region is one of the most fascinating areas in Europe, full of interesting details and charming cities. Over the past twenty years, the Flanders region has become one of the most popular in its country, Belgium, from a tourist perspective, and part of this success is definitely due to the large number of interesting things you can do and experience when visiting the region. Did you know these 10 facts about Flanders?
We at Meeters know them well because we have organized several events in this beautiful European region; at these events, we have seen many people forge new friendships and improve the quality of their free time!
There’s Beer, Beer Everywhere!
The most popular drink throughout Belgium is undoubtedly beer, with over 220 active breweries across the territory.
According to estimates from the Belgian government, there are over 1,600 original beer varieties sold worldwide originating from Flanders; these beers correspond to as many as 700 different flavor profiles and belong to well-known beer styles such as pilsner, Belgian red brown ale, white beer, Trappist, lambic, or gueuze.
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This is certified not only by research conducted by Belgium and the regional government of Flanders but also by UNESCO. The organization has declared Belgian beer culture an intangible cultural heritage of humanity: not bad, right?
The Origin of Antwerp’s Name
One of the most important cities in the entire Flanders region is Antwerp; if this name sounds strange to you, don’t worry: in Italy, we know it by the friendlier name of Anversa. The city’s origins are linked to a legend featuring the Roman soldier Silvius Brabo. He succeeded in killing the giant Druon Antigoon, a creature guarding the Scheldt River.
The name Antwerp therefore derives from the action the Roman soldier took after killing the giant: Brabo, once certain of the beast’s death, cut off its hand and threw it into the river it guarded.
The name Antwerp therefore derives from the action the Roman soldier took once he killed the giant: Brabo, after confirming the beast's death, cut off its hand and threw it into the river he was guarding.
hand werpen , meaning “to throw the hand” in the language of the time.Inventors of the Praline
Not only beer in Belgium but also other delicacies including chocolate, which has been present in the region for over 500 years thanks to the efforts of local merchants.
The praline, however, is a much more recent invention: according to historians, this particular form of chocolate was invented in 1912 by Jean Neuhaus, a
master chocolatier from Flanders experimenting with pastry. The first filled chocolate bonbon was called by him
praline and quickly became one of the most appreciated dishes of the local tradition and beyond. Practically, the praline forever changed the world of pastry and gastronomy: all thanks to the creativity and indulgence of Mr. Neuhaus. and quickly became one of the most appreciated dishes of the local tradition and beyond. The praline, in practical terms, forever changed the world of pastry and gastronomy: all thanks to the indulgence and creativity of Mr. Neuhaus.
If you analyze Flanders geographically, you reach an interesting conclusion: there are not many other places in the world that can boast such a density of starred restaurants.
Flanders has dozens of restaurants with at least one Michelin star in a very small area. This means that anyone passionate about fine dining, gourmet experiences, or good cuisine can only come here in search of the dish that suits them best.
Of course, this is not all, as Flanders also offers dishes suitable for all budgets. Like anywhere else in the world, there are restaurants for every wallet and appetite: you just have to be willing to look for them!
This, of course, is not all, as the Flanders also offer dishes suitable for every budget. Like anywhere in the world, there are restaurants for every wallet and appetite: you just need the desire to find them!
Not everyone knows that Apollo 15, during its space mission, left a work of art on the moon. This piece still exists today; however, during the recent conflict, it was stolen by invaders.
To date, the various thefts have created a significant problem: one of the panels that make up the artwork is still missing! The panel in question is called “The Honest Judges” and was stolen in 1934 and has never been recovered.
To this day, various thefts have created a significant problem: one of the panels that make up the painting is still missing! The panel in question is called “The Just Judges” and was stolen in 1934, never to be recovered.
The Flanders region, as mentioned, is geographically quite compact but boasts a very strong public transport system.
These public transports, often in the form of trams, allow tourists and residents to comfortably explore cities like Antwerp, Brussels, or Ghent in an ecological and environmentally friendly way.
Not everyone knows that Flanders is home to the longest tram line in the world, namely the
Kusttram . The Belgian Coast Tram runs parallel to the regional coastline along the North Sea for a full 67 kilometers and allows you to visit many different locations in one go.The Belgian Coast Tram runs parallel to the regional coastline overlooking the North Sea for a full 67 kilometers and allows you to visit many different locations in one go.
The culinary culture of Flanders is quite famous worldwide for the quality and goodness of its dishes, but that’s not all.
Besides beer, Flanders is famous for its cheeses; what not everyone knows is that cheese from the company “’T Groendal,” a well-known local dairy, is used as space food!
This is because astronaut Shannon Walker declared herself a huge fan of their cheeses and had experts from the company include it in her diet even aboard the International Space Station!
This is because astronaut Shannon Walker declared herself a huge fan of their cheeses and had experts from the company include them in her diet even aboard the International Space Station!
You know the internet, right?
Well: it’s also thanks to a Fleming that it exists and works!
In 1989, Robert Cailliau was working at CERN alongside the better-known Tim Berners-Lee on the very first version of the World Wide Web, what we now more familiarly call the internet!
Endless Comics
Another product strongly exported from Flanders and Belgium more generally is comics!
If you know characters and brands like “The Smurfs,” “Spirou,” “Tintin,” or even “Asterix and Obelix,” you get the idea: they come from this region.
If you know characters and brands like “The Smurfs,” “Spirou,” “Tintin,” or even “Asterix and Obelix,” you get the idea: they all come from this region.