Nello & Patrasche

Anvers, Antwerp

Nello and Patrasche are the main characters of the 1872 English novel *A Dog of Flanders*. The story takes place in Hoboken and Antwerp, with the Cathedral of Our Lady and the paintings of Rubens as its backdrop.

Summary of the story of Nello and Patrasche

Nello, a young orphan, befriends Patrasche, an abandoned dog. Every day, they travel to the city to admire the statue of Rubens. After a series of misfortunes, Nello and Patrasche lose their lives in the cathedral they love so deeply. They die of hunger and cold, side by side. This touching and unusual Christmas tale delivers a message of pride and unwavering friendship. The story is very well known in Japan.