Admire the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Antwerp
Antwerp is a city with a rich history. You will notice this, among other things, from the many beautiful historic buildings in the city. Some of those buildings are also recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We are happy to highlight Antwerp’s UNESCO gems.
1
Cathedral of Our Lady
The Cathedral of Our Lady is the largest Gothic building in the Netherlands. For centuries, it has proudly towered over Antwerp. Since 1999, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as part of the site “Belforts in Belgium and France”.
The cathedral tower is truly impressive: at 123 metres, it is the city’s belfry. In the past, it served as a watchtower and warned the people of fires using a large storm bell.
But did you know that the cathedral actually has two towers? Yes, a large northern tower and a small southern tower. Originally, they wanted to build two identical towers. So why didn’t that happen? In the sixteenth century, people wanted to enlarge the cathedral, so they stopped the work on the southern tower. Unfortunately, the plans for the enlargement of the cathedral were stopped by a major fire in 1533. The restoration took a lot of manpower and resources. After that, the city fell into religious turmoil, so the work was never resumed.
You can visit the cathedral every day. As a resident of the province of Antwerp, you can enter for free, tourists pay 12 euros (situation on 18 March 2505). A small price to pay for a visit to a large building, if you ask us. The cathedral also organises guided tours. Ask for more information at the reception or visit www.dekathedraal.be.
2
Antwerp City Hall
The Antwerp City Hall is also part of the group registration ‘Belforts in Belgium and France’, because the northern tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady used to be the belfry of the city hall.
The building itself is a magnificent piece from the golden sixteenth century. Antwerp was a world city at the time and this is reflected in the richly decorated Renaissance facade. The details tell a story:
- Left: the Brabant Lion, symbol of the Duchy of Brabant.
- Middle: the coat of arms of Philip II, who ruled Antwerp for almost 50 years.
- Right: the coat of arms of the Margraviate of Antwerp, once part of the Holy Roman Empire.
At the top is a statue of Mary, the patron saint of the city. She is enthroned above the statues of Justitia (justice) and Prudentia (prudence), qualities that a city government should have.
3
Museum Plantin-Moretus
The Museum Plantin-Moretus has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005. And not without reason: it houses a perfectly preserved printing house from the sixteenth century. Here you will find the two oldest printing presses in the world, 20,000 lead letters and more than 30,000 books. Greats such as Kiliaan, Dodoens, Ortelius and Luther have left their mark here.
Stepping into the Plantin-Moretus Museum means learning about printing and travelling through time. You will find yourself in the former home and studio of the Plantin-Moretus publishing family. It is a beautiful city palace with gold leather on the walls, portraits by Rubens and an impressive library.
A special place is the courtyard and garden where you can discover popular plants from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
4
The Beguinage of Antwerp
The Beguinage of Antwerp is a hidden spot in the Antwerp university district. It has 47 cute houses, a small church and a beautiful courtyard. Beguines used to live here, women who lived in community without monastic vows.
In 1998, 13 Flemish beguinages were given a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, but Antwerp was left out. Why? Because of less successful restorations in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, such as added stepped gables that changed the original character. In the 1960s, apartment blocks were added, visible from the beguinage, a thorn in the side for UNESCO.
Nevertheless, it must be said: the beguinage with its courtyard is an oasis of peace in the busy environment of the student district that bears witness to the fascinating tradition of the beguines. Not a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but still definitely worth a visit.
Do you not only want to admire the Cathedral of Our Lady, but also discover the full story of Antwerp? On our Antwerp by Bike Highlights of Antwerp tour we take you along the iconic places of the city – and yes, of course we stop at the cathedral! A guide will tell you all about this impressive building and so much more.
