Druon Antigoon: A Legendary Giant

Today’s blog focuses on Druon Antigoon, a legendary and quite villainous giant from Flemish folklore. I was drawn to this gigantic being for a couple of reasons. First, throughout history, there are tons of references to giants, making their impact on the realm of creatures and monsters undeniable. Plus, having recently watched Attack on Titan, I was further inspired to learn more about their species. 

The first reference to Druon Antigoon appears in the 1320 work Genealogie van Godfried met de Baard (Genealogy of Godfrey with the Beard). According to legend, Druon Antigoon terrorized the banks of the River Scheldt in Antwerp, Belgium. The giant built a massive fortress along a vital trade route and forced all passing ships and bridge-crossers to pay a hefty fee. 

Here’s where it gets pretty dark. If a traveler refused to pay or could not afford the fee, Antigoon would violently attack the traveler and sever one of their hands. Afterward, he would fling the hand into the river.

Antwerp endured the giant's reign of terror until a Roman soldier named Silvius Brabo refused to pay the toll and challenged the giant to a duel. Surprisingly, Brabo won the fight, decapitating the giant, then cutting off the giant’s hand and throwing it into the river along with the rather large collection of other severed hands. 

I’m truly fascinated by how ancient, outlandish tales manage to remain relevant through the centuries, embedding themselves into modern culture. The story of Druon Antigoon perfectly demonstrates how a legend can take firm root in the community from which it originated.

In fact, if you visit Antwerp today, you will find tons of references to Antigoon all over the place. Even the city's name may have been derived from folklore surrounding this fierce giant. According to one popular theory, the city’s name, Antwerp, is rooted in the Dutch expression handwerpen, which literally means "hand-throwing!" Isn’t that wild!

This giant’s legendary influence is immortalized on the city’s official coat of arms, which features two severed hands. There is even a fountain named after the valiant soldier who confronted the giant, Silvius Brabo. This 1887 bronze monument by Jef Lambeaux stands directly in front of the Antwerp City Hall, depicting Brabo tossing the giant's severed hand.

And if you find yourself strolling down the Meir shopping street, you’ll encounter a massive sculpture of a severed hand. It’s a bit surreal since children tend to play on it, and it also serves as a resting spot for weary shoppers.

This giant’s legacy extends even into the culinary world, as Antwerp’s pastry shops offer cookies and chocolates crafted in the shape of severed hands! The city even celebrates this dark folklore during its festivals, where the giant’s head is paraded through the streets to commemorate his legendary defeat.

So, if you ever visit, keep an eye out for those hands—they are a constant reminder that in Antwerp, some legends refuse to die in the past!