Cities
Belgium Antwerp Flanders Cathedral

Cathedral of Our Lady

About

The Cathedral of Our Lady rises above Antwerp’s historic centre as a masterpiece of Gothic ambition and artistic devotion. Begun in 1352 and consecrated in 1521, it remains the tallest church tower in the Low Countries, its 123‑metre spire shaping the city’s skyline for centuries. Inside, the vast nave and soaring arches create an atmosphere of quiet grandeur, illuminated by soft light filtering through intricate stained glass. The cathedral is also home to several celebrated works by Peter Paul Rubens, whose altarpieces add emotional depth and dramatic intensity to the sacred space. Though the original plan for twin towers was never completed, the single finished tower has become an unmistakable symbol of Antwerp. Today, the cathedral stands not only as a place of worship but as a cultural treasure, inviting visitors to explore its rich history, architectural beauty, and enduring artistic legacy. ​

Antwerp Belgium
Cathedral of Our Lady
Location

The Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp is located at Groenplaats 21, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium, in the bustling historic heart adjacent to the Grote Markt. This iconic Gothic landmark, with its soaring 123-meter tower dominating the skyline, stands amid pedestrian-friendly squares and streets easily reached by tram lines 5, 9, and 15 from Antwerpen-Centraal station, about a 20-minute walk away. Nearby attractions include the grand Grote Markt with its City Hall and Guildhouses, the Rubens House museum just 500m south, Groenplaats square lined with cafes and the statue of Rubens, and the vibrant Meir shopping boulevard; cultural gems like the Stadhuis, Plantin-Moretus Museum, and cozy restaurants in the old town envelop the area, making it a perfect hub for history, dining, and exploration. ​

Museum aan de Stroom Museum aan de Stroom Museum Rubenshuis Rubenshuis Museum Plantin‑Moretus Museum Plantin‑Moretus Museum Museum Snijders&Rockoxhuis Snijders&Rockoxhuis Museum Red Star Line Museum Red Star Line Museum Museum KMSKA ‑ Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp KMSKA ‑ Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp Museum FOMU ‑ Photo Museum Antwerp FOMU ‑ Photo Museum Antwerp Museum DIVA museum DIVA museum Museum Museum Mayer van den Bergh Museum Mayer van den Bergh Museum M HKA ‑ Museum of Contemporary Art M HKA ‑ Museum of Contemporary Art Museum Museum De Reede Museum De Reede Museum Middelheim Museum Middelheim Museum Theatre MoMu ‑ Fashion Museum Antwerp MoMu ‑ Fashion Museum Antwerp Museum Illusion Antwerpen Illusion Antwerpen Museum Chocolate Nation Chocolate Nation Museum Bunker Museum Antwerpen Bunker Museum Antwerpen Museum Museum Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum Stampe & Vertongen Museum Stampe & Vertongen Museum Museum Tim Van Laere Gallery Tim Van Laere Gallery Museum Keteleer Gallery Keteleer Gallery Gallery De Zwarte Panter De Zwarte Panter Gallery Gallery Sofie Van de Velde Gallery Sofie Van de Velde Gallery Annie Gentils Gallery Annie Gentils Gallery Gallery Base-Alpha Gallery Base-Alpha Gallery Gallery Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen Theatre Bourlaschouwburg Bourlaschouwburg Theatre Elckerlyk Theatre Elckerlyk Theatre Theatre Arenberg Theatre Arenberg Theatre Theatre hetpaleis hetpaleis Theatre Fakkelteater Rode Zaal Fakkelteater Rode Zaal Theatre Toneelhuis Toneelhuis Theatre Theater Klokhuis Theater Klokhuis Theatre St. Andrew’s Church St. Andrew’s Church Church St. Charles Borromeo Church St. Charles Borromeo Church Church St. James’ Church St. James’ Church Church St. Paul’s Church Antwerp St. Paul’s Church Antwerp Church Het Steen Het Steen Castle Couwelaar Castle Couwelaar Castle Castle Sterckshof Castle Sterckshof Castle Castle Sorghvliedt Castle Sorghvliedt Castle Castle Grote Markt Antwerp Grote Markt Antwerp Square Vlaeykensgang Historic Alley Vlaeykensgang Historic Alley Tourist attractions Sint-Annatunnel Sint-Annatunnel Tourist attractions Groenplaats Groenplaats Square Stadspark Stadspark Park Boekenbergpark Boekenbergpark Park Plantentuin Plantentuin Garden Zoo Antwerpen Zoo Antwerpen Zoo Volkssterrenwacht Urania Volkssterrenwacht Urania Planetarium Michiel Coignet Observatorium Michiel Coignet Observatorium Observatory