How to visit Antwerp Cathedral (Belgium): schedules

It is considered as the largest gothic building in Belgium, and when you see it for the first time from afar, I'm sure you won't be surprised that it is.

I'm talking about the Gothic cathedral de Antwerp, riding a Flanders, the true monumental icon of the second city of Belgium, which you find in the very center of the historic area.

From the almost complete cathedral of our lady The first thing that will catch your attention is its very high 123 meter high tower, but I will tell you that it is also a large temple that has a unique configuration with seven ships inside.

You will find the cathedral between the Plaza Mayor (Grote Markt) de Antwerp, the true center of old town, and the other large square in the center, the Groenplaats, which shows a more commercial and leisure character.

Antwerp Cathedral History Curiosities

The origins of Antwerp cathedral They date back to the year 1124, when a small chapel that was in its current location was converted into a parish church.

Construction of the current cathedral building began in 1352 and construction lasted 170 years.

During the 16th century the church suffered from a fire to various lootings within the framework of religious wars.

Already in current times, a profound restoration has been carried out in the cathedral, both exterior and interior, which has lasted 50 years to be completed very recently, in 2015.

The result, and I have witnessed it during my last trip to Flanders, is that now you can visit a splendid cathedral with a majestic exterior architecture and a beautiful interior.

What to see when visiting Antwerp Cathedral

In the official brochure that they give you at the entrance of the Antwerp cathedral They invite you to sit in the seats in the last rows to feel the grandeur of the building.

Don't hesitate to do it.

You will find one very bright church, unequivocal Gothic architecture, in whose interior the white color of walls, ceilings and columns prevails, which are illuminated by the light that enters through the large stained glass windows.

Highlights the high altar, as well as the impressive wooden pulpit from the St Bernard's Abbey and 18th century confessionals.

But what really gives more splendor to the interior of Antwerp cathedral is the great artistic wealth that it contains

Paintings and artistic works in Antwerp Cathedral

At high altar you will see the canvas of Pedro Pablo Rubens, The Assumption of the Virgin, one of the four works by this Antwerp artist that are part of the cathedral's heritage and are exhibited there.

But in addition, exhibitions have also been held in the cathedral with paintings of the Antwerp Museum of Fine Arts.

This allows you to see into the cathedral paintings in large format of various flemish painters from the 16th and 17th centuries, as Quintin Massys o Frans Floris.

You should know that many of the paintings on display were works made in their day to decorate various altars of merchants located next to the columns of the temple.

Antwerp Cathedral visit schedules

The Antwerp Cathedral visiting hours They are, Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.; on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 15 p.m.; and on Sundays, from 13 to 17 p.m.

El entrance price to visit Antwerp Cathedral it is 8 euros.

More photos of Antwerp Cathedral

Here are more photos of Antwerp Cathedral, which you can visit in the Belgian region of Flanders.