East of the capital is Louvain, founded almost 1,000 years ago, which features many buildings of incredible architectural beauty, such as its 15th-century town hall. Antwerp, the second-largest European port and the industrial heart of Belgium, is located on the right bank of the Escault river. With a rich heritage and architecture that ranges from medieval to art nouveau, the focal point is without a doubt the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Gent, the country's third-largest city and port, features an old town which has been magnificently preserved. Cosmopolitan and charming, Bruges is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. Thanks to its several canals, it can be explored by boat, which is a great way to admire the building facades along the waterways. The marketplace is located in the heart of the old town and is surrounded by monumental buildings.