Antwerp was one of the most important European cities in the 16th Century and was a significant city in the nations of the Benelux both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury of the Dutch Revolt. Today, the second largest city in Belgium is still very vibrant with its 500,000 inhabitants calling it the 'Metropolis' . This city has so many different facets that it takes a while before one gets to know it thoroughly. With the Antwerp City Archive providing numerous photographs, drawings and other historical documents, this book explores the rich and fascinating history of this major European city.