Legends act as mirrors of history, reflecting deep cultural and historical truths through their fantastical stories. Among Belgium’s most iconic tales, the legend of Brabo and the giant Antigoon holds a special place, symbolizing the bravery and identity of the city of Antwerp.
During Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, the Roman legionary Silvius Brabo was left in charge of the territories. Taking advantage of a well-deserved break, Brabo decided to rest in a marshy region that is now known as the Scheldt. This area was guarded by Druon Antigoon, a ruthless giant who ruled the crossing with merciless brutality.
Antigoon lived in a fortress on the site of today’s Steen. He used his enormous size to demand an exorbitant toll from anyone wishing to cross the river. Those unable to pay were given a grim choice: lose their right hand or face the giant in combat. No one had ever survived the crushing blows of his massive club.
The giant’s tyranny could not go unpunished. Silvius Brabo, fearless and determined, challenged Druon Antigoon. After a fierce battle, Brabo emerged victorious, killing the giant. To avenge the countless victims, he cut off Antigoon’s head and right hand, then triumphantly threw the severed hand across the river. According to legend, this symbolic act gave the city its name: “Handwerpen” (to throw the hand), which later evolved into “Antwerpen.”
The legend of Brabo and Antigoon is immortalized by the Brabo Fountain, a masterful work by sculptor Jef Lambeaux, erected in 1887 at the center of Antwerp’s Grote Markt. This striking sculpture depicts Brabo preparing to throw the giant’s severed hand, a scene that perfectly captures the essence of the legend.
Although the legend is primarily a mythological tale, it is rooted in tangible historical elements. Archaeological excavations near the Steen have uncovered traces of a Roman settlement dating back to the first century, indicating that the Antwerp region was inhabited long before traditional accounts suggest. These discoveries reinforce the idea that legends, while often exaggerated, are frequently grounded in historical reality.
The popular etymology linking “Antwerpen” to “hand werpen” is disputed by some specialists. Another theory proposes that the name comes from “aan het werpen,” referring to a port jetty. Nevertheless, the symbolic power of the legend endures, remaining an integral part of the cultural identity of Antwerp.
