Antwerp's other diamond: Rubens

The legendary painter's legacy can be found everywhere in the Belgian city

- Anita Rao Kashi

Like most classic European cities, the beating heart of Antwerp is the Grote Markt or the Market Square and its surrounding areas. Of course, the Belgian city's claim to fame as the global hub for diamonds is undisputed, but this facet is rather low-key and the Antwerp Diamond District is a loosely demarcated square mile of glittering stores and less visible facilities for cutting, polishing and trading. Less subtle is the Cathedral of Our Lady or Antwerp Cathedral whose 15th century Gothic spire towers over the central part of the city and acts as the perfect marker to orient oneself.

Situated in a large open area, the cathedral is imposing, its spire rising over 400ft; it is supposedly one of a twin set but the other was never completed. But I am searching for Antwerp's other diamond, or at least the legacy, and I find it on the cathedral's walls and on special pedestals.