- Antwerp Ruien
The Ruien were natural ditches / canals connected to the river
Scheldt . They filled up during high tide taking the surplus water and became empty during low tide (the difference could be a much as 5 1/2 meters).Brief History of Antwerp Ruien
In the 11th century, the old town around
Het Steen castle was becoming too crowded. Citizen started installing themselves outside the first fortification walls. They offered an excellent natural protection from flooding and the city expanded quickly and safely around them.In the 13th century the Ruien reached all the way to the cathedral and in the 16th century they reached the ‘leien’ (the small ring aroundAntwerp ). The whole area between the Scheldt and the leien is now the Old Town. This part of town is the second layer of the city; the first, which cannot be seen anymore, is underground. But this was not always so. Until the 16th century all the ditches and canals were open.The ruien also served as an open sewer system.
Antwerp was at its Golden Age, with the population growing and with the pollution from industry the canals became dirty and smelly. The odour became unbearable for a crowded and expanding city and the local government decided it would be best to cover them. Since this was a costly endeavor the government passed this responsibility to the citizens.Each property owner was responsible for covering their part of the canal. The progress was rather slow and it took 300 years before everything was covered. Some used sandstone, others bricks. The Jesuits covered the part under the Saint Carolus Borromeus Church with expensive stones. The Protestants were not as wealthy so they only marked their part by cake-like layers of white and red brick. Others did not bother with decorating ceilings you can only see from inside the sever system.
The
Antwerp Ruien would be used as sewer systems until the 1990's. By then, European laws forced the cities to reorganize their sewer systems. New pipes were installed and the ditches were emptied. What left was a labyrinth of underground streets.In 2004 the government decided to open them to the public [http://www.antwerpen.be/eCache/BEN/16/462.cmVjPTY0NDc.html] . You can now take a guided tour of the underground city of Antwerp.
References
[Antwerp Ruien] [http://www.antwerp-tourist-guide.com/antwerp-ruien.html Antwerp Ruien] Visit Antwerp ruien: the 1000 year old ditches, canals and hidden bridges under the houses and streets of Antwerp
[The Ruien] [http://www.antwerpen.be/eCache/BEN/16/462.cmVjPTY0NDc.html The Ruien] City of Antwerp Official Website
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