Cities
Belgium Antwerp Flanders Square

Groenplaats

Groenplaats
About

Groenplaats is one of Antwerp’s most atmospheric squares, a lively open space where centuries of history blend seamlessly with modern city life. Once the city’s main cemetery until the 18th century, it was transformed into a public square after Emperor Joseph II banned burials within the city walls. Today, its past lingers only in name, while its character is shaped by elegant façades, bustling cafés, and the ever-present silhouette of the Cathedral of Our Lady rising nearby. At the centre stands the bronze statue of Pieter Paul Rubens, unveiled in 1843, honouring Antwerp’s most celebrated Baroque painter. The square has long served as a social hub, evolving from a 16th‑century marketplace into a vibrant meeting point for locals and visitors. With its café terraces, cultural energy, and central location, Groenplaats remains a welcoming gateway to Antwerp’s historic heart.

Antwerp Belgium
Location

Groenplaats is a central square in the historic heart of Antwerp, just south of the Cathedral of Our Lady and at the end of the main shopping street Meir. It is surrounded by cafés and restaurant terraces, a renovated former Grand Bazar building now housing a Hilton hotel, and offers clear views of the cathedral’s tower. In the middle of the square stands the statue of the famous Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, while beneath the square there is an underground parking garage and the Groenplaats premetro station, providing easy tram connections across the city.

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

User attributes