Antwerpen Travel Guide

The Cathedral of Our Lady is Belgium's largest Gothic church, begun in 1352 and taking about 170 years to reach its present form. Its 123-metre tower — the tallest church spire in the Low Countries — anchors the UNESCO-listed skyline of Antwerp and never leaves the city's horizon. Inside hang Rubens's towering masterpieces The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross, alongside the Assumption triptych, their Baroque glow filling the dim nave. On the square outside stands the bronze of Nello and Patrasche from A Dog of Flanders, drawing misty-eyed readers from around the world. Climb the tower for red rooftops and the Scheldt — the perfect start to understanding Antwerp's history and faith.

The Cathedral of Our Lady is Belgium's tallest Gothic church; its main spire reaches about 123 m and, begun in 1352 and finished nearly two centuries later, it stands as the symbol of Antwerp, the city of diamonds and art. It is famed for several monumental works by Peter Paul Rubens—'The Raising of the Cross', 'The Descent from the Cross' and 'The Assumption'—whose Baroque drama converses powerfully with the Gothic volume. The lofty nave, intricate carved pulpit and stained glass create a solemn yet sumptuous sacred atmosphere. Climbing the tower rewards visitors with the Antwerp skyline—a must for art and architecture lovers.

The Rubenshuis is the mansion and studio that Peter Paul Rubens, the Baroque master, bought and personally remodeled around 1610; today it is a museum. The architecture blends Italian Renaissance with Antwerp vernacular—courtyard, colonnade and garden loggia revealing the master's taste. Inside are paintings, drawings, furniture and curios by Rubens and his pupils, evoking the glory of 17th-century Flemish painting. Wandering the very studio and garden where the master worked, visitors feel the living breath of Baroque art and the afterglow of Antwerp's Golden Age.

The Grote Markt is the central square of Mechelen in Antwerp province, and one of the larger market squares in Flanders. On one side stands the Stadhuis, whose Renaissance façade and adjoining belfry form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, while the tower of St. Rumbold's Cathedral rises nearby and defines the city skyline. The square is lined with restaurants, cafés and shops, its terraces often full, and hosts regular markets. It lies about ten minutes on foot from Mechelen railway station and makes a convenient starting point for exploring the old town.

Het Steen stands on the right bank of the Scheldt in Antwerp and is the oldest surviving building in the city. Its predecessor dates from the early thirteenth century, when it served as a border fortress and the residence of the margraves; it later became a prison and at one time housed a maritime museum. Following renovation it now operates as a visitor centre with displays on the city's history. The castle sits beside the riverside promenade, overlooking the Scheldt and the opposite bank. The surviving walls form only part of the original structure, so a visit is usually combined with a walk through the old town.

The Meir is Antwerp's principal shopping street, running through the city centre and linking the old town towards the central station. Pedestrianised, it is lined with international brands, department stores and local shops, and ranks among the busiest commercial streets in Belgium. Several historic buildings stand along it, including the former Royal Palace, once a residence used by the royal family. The street has been a key route through the city since the seventeenth century and is now known for its shopping and shopfronts. From here it is a short walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Rubens House.