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.