The city of Antwerp (Antwerpen), lying on the River Scheldt (Schelde), was a settlement in the Gallo-Roman period in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
In the 14th century Antwerp was one of the most important trading and financial centers in Western Europe due to its seaport and wool market.
With the Treaty of Münster after the Eighty Years War (1568-1648), the River Scheldt was closed to maritime traffic and the city declined. In 1863 the River was reopened to navigation and the city regained its economic importance.
Today Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe and has a large and important diamond trading industry.
The Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) lived in Antwerp most of his live.