The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) stands on Groenplaats, beside the Grote Markt in central Antwerp. Building ran from 1352 to 1521 in the Gothic style, and its 123-metre spire is visible from much of the old town. Inside, several major paintings by Peter Paul Rubens hang in the setting they were made for, including The Descent from the Cross and The Elevation of the Cross. Allow an hour or more to take in the art and stained glass, then finish with a local beer at the cathedral's own bistro-bar.
From 1352 to 1521
Building began in 1352 and continued until 1521, a span of 169 years. The architects Jan and Pieter Appelmans designed the church in the Gothic style. The original plan called for two towers of equal height, but the second tower was never completed, so the two towers do not match.
A chapel had stood on the site since the 10th century. The church later became the seat of the Diocese of Antwerp.
The building has been through a hard history. A fire in 1533 damaged the interior, and in 1566 iconoclasts attacked its art. Between 1581 and 1585, Calvinist reformers carried out what they called a purification, and the interior was stripped of much of its furnishing. Restoration in the 19th and 20th centuries brought back much of the building, but the interior is far less lavish than it was in the 1500s. The first stage of building ended in 1521, and the cathedral has never been formally completed.
Inside the cathedral
The main draw inside is the painting. Works by Peter Paul Rubens hang in the church, including The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross. Paintings by Martin de Vos, Jacob de Backer and Otto van Veen also decorate the walls. The commission for the altarpieces went to Rubens with the help of Nicolaas Rockox.
Many of the chapels are open to visitors, and benches are placed around the church so you can sit and study what is in front of you. Allow time for this. The stained glass ranges from 16th-century panels to modern windows.
The cathedral has also been a centre of music. Composers and organists worked here over the centuries, and the cathedral choir kept singing through the most difficult periods, even during the hostilities.
The spire, the belfry and the square
The spire rises 123 metres and is often called the Giant of Antwerp. Its stonework is Brabantine Gothic, with patterns that look like lace. The belfry is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Groenplaats, the square in front of the cathedral, has a statue of Rubens at its end. In front of the church stands a newer sculpture of Nello and Patrasche, based on the Flemish tale of a poor boy and his dog.
The Grote Markt is right next to the cathedral. Its Brabo Fountain shows the legend that gives the city its name.
Planning your visit
Entry to the interior is paid, and advance tickets are recommended. Guided tours cover the architecture, the history and the paintings, and an English tour is offered. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair accessible parking lot is listed.
Visitors may light candles inside for personal reflection or for family occasions. Mass on weekend mornings and weekday evenings makes the church busy, so plan your walk around those times.
The cathedral's own bistro-bar serves Kathedraalbier, a local beer, which makes a good stop after the walk around the church.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, the interior charges admission. Prices have varied in published material, so check the cathedral's official website for the current fee.
How long do you need?
Allow an hour or more to see the paintings, stained glass and chapels. Two hours gives you time to sit and take in the church.
Is the cathedral wheelchair accessible?
The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair accessible parking lot is listed.
Can you visit during a service?
Mass is held on weekend mornings and weekday evenings, when the cathedral is full of worshippers. Visit at other times for a quieter look around.
Should you book tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended for the cathedral.
