One of the famous museums-in-antwerpPlantin-Moretus MuseumMore exciting than it sounds, this is one of the most exceptional of all museums-in-antwerp. Both a home and a shop it chronicles more than 300 years of printing activity. One of the most interesting of all museums-in-antwerp, it hosts the oldest surviving print press in the world together with complete sets of dies and matrices. It’s amazing to see that even today, the equipment still could be used. The famous printer Christoffel Plantijn lived in Antwerp in the 16th century and was renowned in Europe for quality books and prints. He founded his company and transformed cottage-house printing into a pre-industrial enterprise. His son in law, Moretus, would be his successor and the family Plantin-Moretus would dominate this business for the next few hundred years. In 1876 a descendant sold the house to the city that made it into museum. You’ll find an impressive library with manuscripts and first prints of 16th century books. Their most famous books include a Librorium Prohibitorum, which lists books the church declared unfit for Christians, and a Biblia Regia, an eight-volume bible printed in several languages. The company also invented two typefaces – Garamond and Plantin. Also on display are family portraits by Rubens and Mercator maps. Mercator was the fellow that found a way to project a 3-dimension ball on a two dimensional paper also known as: the Mercator projection. It appeared to be quite useful to make maps and travel to other continents) The museum and this whole area was badly damaged In the Second World War. Luckily enough - it could be renovated. Now it is one of the best museums-in-antwerp and in 2005 it became the first museum in the world to be put on the UNESCO Heritage list. Open: Tuesdays - Sundays 10 am - 5 pm. (Open on Easter Monday and Whit Monday). Closed on Mondays (reading room open), and 1 and 2 January, 1 May and Ascension Day, 1 and 2 November, 25 and 26 December. Neighborhood: The old city Plantin-Moretus Museum Getting there: Tram 2, 3, 4, 8, 15 and Bus: 22, 25 and 26. Get off at Groenplaats.
From Groenplaats walk down Nationale straat as far as the first traffic lights; then turn right into Steenhouwersvest. The first street on the right will take you to the Vrijdagmarkt square. The large building across the square on your left is the Plantin Moretus Museum with the City Print Collection. By car: follow signposts for Antwerp City Centre, direction Groenplaats car park. Alternative parking facility: Brabo car park (Kammenstraat) Admission fees:
Euro 6
Free access on each last Wednesday of every month. The museum can supply audiocassettes to guide you through the museum at your own pace. They are for free. Admission fees may vary in case of temporary exhibitions.
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