Antwerp got its name from the legend of when Brabo, the mythical Roman soldier, threw a giant's hand into the River Scheldt. The giant used to charge a toll from everyone crossing the river and any who dared to refuse payment would have one of their hands chopped off and tossed into the river. One day fearless Brabo managed to slay the giant and he in turn severed the giant’s hand and threw it into the river.
In 1585 the Dutch closed the river by also demanding a toll from any passing boat,
which caused the city's downfall in power. Happily, in 1863 the Dutch finally stopped this and the city started to grow again. In 1887, to celebrate the freeing of the river, this fountain depicting the legend was erected in front of the city hall.