Antwerp City Hall

Welcome to the Grote Markt, the beating heart of Antwerp’s historic center. As you stand here, you are surrounded by centuries of commercial and political power. …

Let us turn our focused attention to the facade of the City Hall. Completed in 1565, this structure marked a definitive break from the late Gothic traditions that had dominated the Low Countries for centuries. …

In the center of the square, directly in front of the City Hall, stands the magnificent Brabo Fountain. This bronze monument, created by the sculptor Jef Lambeaux in 1887, depicts the legendary hero Silvius Brabo. …

Look toward the north and east sides of the Grote Markt, where a row of narrow, towering buildings frames the square. These are the Guild Houses, rebuilt in the Renaissance style during the late 16th and 17th centuries after the…

While our primary focus is the City Hall, it is impossible to ignore the towering presence of the Cathedral of Our Lady, whose spire looms over the Grote Markt. This Gothic masterpiece, which took nearly 170 years to build…

The City Hall you see today is the result of an ambitious and meticulous restoration that concluded in 2022. For several years, the building was shrouded in scaffolding as experts worked to preserve its structural integrity and…

Leading away from the southern corner of the Grote Markt is the Oude Koornmarkt, or the 'Old Corn Market.' This street is a 300-meter-long culinary haven and one of the most picturesque lanes in the historic center. As its name…

As we conclude our time here at the Grote Markt, take one last look at the Antwerp City Hall and the surrounding square. This space is more than just a collection of beautiful buildings; it is a physical manifestation of…