How the Kempen Was the Hidden Engine of Antwerp's Diamond Industry

Antwerp is synonymous with diamonds, holding its status as the world's diamond capital for six centuries. The city's famed diamond district, situated near the Central Station, is a testament to this legacy. However, the story behind Antwerp's diamond trade success is more complex than commonly perceived.

For a significant period, the true driving force behind Antwerp's diamond industry was not within the city itself, but rather in the rural landscapes of the Kempen region. This area, characterized by its fields and forests, harbored a less-known but vital part of the diamond trade's infrastructure and operations.

Els Broekmans from Radio 2 in Antwerp has delved into this hidden history. Her investigation seeks to uncover the specific ways in which the Kempen region, despite its distance from the urban center, became instrumental in sustaining and advancing Antwerp's dominance in the global diamond market. The findings shed light on a crucial, yet often overlooked, chapter of the city's economic powerhouse.