Here are the top places to visit on your trip to Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp is a city known for its history and culture.
1. Middelheim Park
Middelheim Park is a large park located in Antwerp, Belgium. The park offers a beautiful landscape with green grass squares and lush trees. The park is known for its various sculptures and landscape design.
– Sculpture: Middelheim Park features works by some of the best sculptors from the 20th century and beyond.
– Landscaping: Middelheim Park features beautiful gardens, lakes, and forests, with a variety of walking trails.
– Outdoor activities: Middelheim Park offers a wide range of activities to enjoy. You can go for walks, picnics, bike rides, and more.
2. Grote Markt
The Grote Markt is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed square in the center of Antwerp, Belgium.
– City Hall: An ornate Gothic structure built in the 16th century. You can explore the interior with its elaborate carvings and frescoes.
– Brabo Fountain: This is Antwerp’s iconic fountain, with an iconic sculpture at its center.
– Guild Houses: These are ornate guild buildings built from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Each guild has its own unique symbol and phrase engraved on it.
– Markets and events: The Grote Markt is home to a variety of events and markets throughout the year. Christmas markets, flower markets, craft markets, and more are held regularly, and cultural events such as outdoor concerts are often held in the summer.
– Food and shopping: Around the Grote Markt there are many restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, where you can taste traditional Belgian food or buy special souvenirs.
3. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal is a Gothic cathedral located in Antwerp, Belgium. It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries and is one of the most important religious buildings in Belgium. In particular, the 123m high spire is a symbolic presence of the city. The delicate and intricate sculptural decorations are everywhere, and the grand spatial organization inspires reverence in visitors.
– Rubens’ masterpieces: The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal is famous for its collection of masterpieces by painter Peter Paul Rubens.
– Stained glass: There are many beautiful stained glass windows inside the cathedral.
– Gothic architecture: The cathedral itself is also of great architectural value.
4. Plantin-Moretus Museum
The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a world-renowned museum of printing and publishing located in Antwerp, Belgium. The museum, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, was the workshop and home of 16th-century printer Christophe Plantin and his son-in-law Jan Moretus. It is one of the oldest printing houses in the world and is an important cultural heritage site that provides a glimpse into the history of printing and publishing, as well as the social and cultural context of the time.
– Exhibition: The museum preserves a variety of tools and materials related to the printing technology of the time, including printing presses, woodblocks, and metal type. The museum features exhibits on the history of the Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus families, the development of printing technology, and the art and culture of the time. You can also see books published by the Plantin family, ancient maps, and printing tools.
5. MAS(Museum aan de Stroom)
The MAS(Museum aan de Stroom) is a museum located in Antwerp, Belgium. It displays various exhibitions about the history and culture of Antwerp and cultures from around the world. The museum architecture itself is famous for its unique design, and has become a new attraction in Antwerp.
– Exhibitions: The MAS has several exhibition halls, each with a different theme. The exhibition focuses on Antwerp’s history, culture, art, and exchanges with various cultures around the world. Exhibits include ship models, ancient maps, works of art, and anthropological artifacts.
– Observation Deck: There is an observation deck on the top floor of the building, where visitors can enjoy beautiful views of downtown Antwerp. The observation deck is one of the best places to get a panoramic view of Antwerp’s cityscape.
– Facilities: Inside the museum, there are cafes, shops, and beautiful gardens, so visitors can relax and buy souvenirs.
– Architecture: The MAS has become one of Antwerp’s landmarks. The building stands 10 stories tall and boasts a unique exterior made of red brick and glass.