Antwerp Cathedral

Name: Antwerp Cathedral, Onze-lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Cathedral of our Lady

Address: Handschoenmarkt

Architect: Jan Appelmans (Jean Amel de Boulogne)

Build: 1352 - 1521

Height: 123,0m / 404ft

In the high middle ages, the old Roman church of Antwerp became too small for the fast growing city. The city government decided to build a new Cathedral on the same spot. The church had to become the finest in the low lands. They even couldn’t imagine that 200 years later, the church still wouldn’t be finished.

In the early 16th century, The city decided to stop working on the Antwerp cathedral and that’s why it never got it second tower.

In the 1500’s, the style had completely changed, and some citizens even suggested to take the church down and build something nice there (Gothic art was seen as Barbarian in the Renaissance Period).

It wouldn’t be the last time that Antwerp cathedral would be threatened with demolition.

Also, Napoleon ordered to take her down and recuperate the iron for his armies. Luckily, Jan Blom was so inventive to save her.

The interior is for 90 percent Baroque. The original interior has been professionally destroyed during the iconoclasm.

A few of Rubens most known paintings are waiting for your complete attention…

Among them are the Raising of the Cross and the Descent of the Cross - cultural heritage on a worldwide scale. There are a also lot of other works of art, the contents, the stained-glass windows,...

Neighborhood: Old city

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 10-17h
Saturday: 10-15h
Sunday and feast days: 13-16h

Main entrance
Handschoenmarkt
2000 Antwerpen

Getting there:

Tram
2, 3, 5, and 15 (stop Premetro Groenplaats).
4, and 8 (stop Th. Van Rijswijckplaats).
10, and 11 (stop Melkmarkt).
7 (stop Meirbrug).

Bus
34, and 291 (stop Steenplein).
22, 25, and 26 (stop Groenplaats).

Rate for tourist visit
Individual:
€ 4 per person
€ 2 for students, people above the age of 60 and citizens of the Province of Antwerp Free for kids younger than twelve

Group (a minimum of 20 visitors):
€ 2 per person

This fee is used for continuous renovation.

Guided tours are provided under the slogan: "To look at art: for more than a second".

Individual visits (free)

In Dutch
Monday to Friday: 11h, and 14h15 (sometimes at 15h, and also at 15h45)
Saturday: 11h, and 14h15
Sunday and feast days: 14h15 (sometimes also at 15h, too, Mid-July until the end of August at 13h15, and 15h)

In other languages (French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, and Mandarin)

From Mid-July until the end of August
Monday to Friday: 11h, 14h15, and 15h45
Saturday: 11h, and 14h15
Sunday and feast days: 13h15, and 15h
For the rest of the year tours are provided on different days and at different hours, please ask for further information at the Cathedral.

Group visits
The specialised guides are more than willing - if possible - to cater for any specific needs or interests of your group

Program 1: Getting acquainted with the cathedral
Languages: Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, and Mandarin
Rate: € 60 per guide + the normal entrance fees for groups

Program 2: Antwerp cathedral behind the scenes (includes climbing the small tower and a visit of the attic above the main nave)
Languages: Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, and Mandarin
Rate: € 60 per guide
Entrance fee: € 5 per person

Program 3: Valentine's Day in the cathedral
Languages: Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, and Mandarin
Rate: € 60 per guide
Entrance fee: € 5 per person

Booking:
Information of the cathedral
Phone: (0032) (0)3 213 99 51
E-mail: info@dekathedraal.be
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal Website

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