Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
Antwerp Cathedral from Groenplaats. Photo
Mel & John Kots.
Facade and portals. Photo
elbisreverri.
Nave, looking east to the high altar. Photo
Anthony J. Hicks.
Nave, looking west to the entrance. Photo
Anthony J. Hicks.
Spectacular vaulting at the transept crossing. Public domain.
Rubens' Descent from the Cross triptych. Photo
trekguy.
Stained-glass windows. Photo
Anthony J. Hicks.The towering Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) in Antwerp is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the largest church in Benelux. Antwerp Cathedral also shelters four magnificent Rubens altarpieces.
History
Begun in 1352 and completed by around 1520, the Cathedral of Our Lady stands on the site of a 10th-century chapel dedicated to the Virgin and a subsequent Romanesque church.
The history of Antwerp's cathedral is turbulent to say the least. It includes:
- a destructive fire in 1533,
- devastation by iconoclasts during the religious wars of the 16th century,
- desecration by anticlerical French revolutionaries in 1794 (resulting in the removal of its Rubens paintings), and finally
- a slow rebirth that began after Napoléon's defeat in 1815.
What to See
The Gothic cathedral of Antwerp has seven aisles and 125 pillars. Of the planned five towers, only one was completed. But that tower is the tallest church spire in the Low Countries at 123m (403 ft.) high, and the fact that the designers planned to construct five of them is a powerful illustration of the wealth and power of medieval Antwerp.
Antwerp Cathedral's interior is an impressive sight, with sweeping Gothic lines and soaring vaults, all in gleaming white. The furnishings are a mix of Baroque and Neoclasssical styles. The cathedral houses four Rubens altarpieces:
- The Raising of the Cross (1609-10)
- The Descent From the Cross (1611-14)
- The Resurrection (1612)
- The Assumption of the Virgin (1626)
Nicolas Rombouts' Last Supper (1503) stained-glass window, is also outstanding. Among many other notable works of art is a superb Madonna and Child (ca. 1350) in Carrrara marble, by the anonymous "Master of the Maasland Marble Madonnas."
Quick Facts
| Names: | Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal; Cathedral of Our Lady; Antwerp Cathedral; Da Kathedraal |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Dates: | 1352-1520 |
| Status: | Active |
| Location: | Handschoenmarkt (off the Grote Markt) |
| Website: | www.dekathedraal.be/en |
| E-mail: | info@dekathedraal.be |
| Phone: | 03/213-99-40 |
| Metro: | Groenplaats |
| Hours: | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-3pm; Sun and holidays 1-4pm; the day preceding a religious holiday 10am-3pm; closed to tourist visits during services |
| Cost: | Admission 2€, children under 13 free |
| When to go: | During July and August, the cathedral bells burst into song on Sundays from 3 to 4pm and on Mondays from 8 to 9pm. |
Travel Resources
- Antwerp Hotel Reviews - unbiased ratings from fellow travelers
- Antwerp Hostels & Guesthouses - budget lodging with no booking fees
- Car Rentals in Antwerp - good deals on a large fleet from AutoEurope
- Antwerp Travel Forum- tips, advice, invaluable information
Article Sources
- Frommer's Brussels and Bruges with Ghent and Antwerp, 2nd ed.
- Cathedral of Our Lady - City of Antwerp
- De Kathedraal - official website
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of Antwerp Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Antwerp Map or get our Google Earth download.
