Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp) Church

Address: Groenplaats 21, 2000 Antwerpen (Antwerp), Belgium

Website: https://www.dekathedraal.be/en/

Hours: Daily 10am-5pm

Admission: €6 (adult)

The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp is a late Gothic cathedral that dominates the city skyline with a spire reaching about 123 metres. Construction began in the 14th century and the building is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antwerp.

The cathedral contains important works of art, most notably paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, which are displayed in the choir and chapels and draw many visitors interested in Flemish art. The interior features soaring vaults, chapels, and a rich collection of religious art spanning several centuries.

Construction occurred in phases from the mid-14th century into the early 16th century, replacing earlier churches on the site; the building has undergone restorations after damage from iconoclasm and later events. It has long served as the main place of worship and an artistic centre for the city.

The cathedral sits in Antwerp’s historic centre, a short walk from the Grote Markt and the River Scheldt. It is accessible from the city railway station and is surrounded by streets of shops, museums, and historic buildings.

• Rubens paintings: Home to several major works by Peter Paul Rubens, including large altarpieces that are displayed inside the nave.

The Cathedral of Our Lady is in central Antwerp near Groenplaats. From Antwerpen-Centraal station it’s an easy 10-15 minute walk (around 1 km) through the historic shopping streets; local trams and buses also serve stops close to the cathedral.

If driving from Brussels, take the E19 north toward Antwerp (roughly 45 km) and follow city-ring (R1) or signs to the city centre/Old Town.

• Visit on a weekday morning or late afternoon to avoid large tour groups and the busiest service times.
• Buy an entry ticket to see the cathedral's main altarpieces - the building houses several major Rubens works and his burial monument, so allow time to view those in the nave.
• Take time to explore the side chapels and smaller altarpieces; many visitors focus on the central works and miss the richly detailed woodwork and secondary paintings.