The Cathedral of Antwerp: a remarkable history
Look up: there it is, the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, proudly overlooking the city. It may seem unchanged, but this majestic building has been restored and expanded time and time again. Each era has left its mark.
Construction of the Antwerp Cathedral began in 1352
The story of the cathedral takes us back to the 9th century, to a site that once held a modest Carolingian chapel. In 1124, this chapel became the home of the St. Michael’s Chapter, under the Order of St. Norbert. By 1132, it had been upgraded to a Romanesque church, similar in style to St. Maria im Kapitol in Cologne. This impressive structure was 80 meters long and 42 meters wide. (Remnants of its foundations can still be seen in the current cathedral.)
But the people of Antwerp had grander ambitions. In 1352, they began constructing what was meant to be the largest Gothic church in the Low Countries. This massive project took nearly 170 years to complete. The plan was to build two identical towers, but as you can see today, only the northern tower stands tall. The southern one remains a stub. Why? Well, the history of the cathedral is not just filled with triumphs; it has faced its fair share of setbacks.
Devastation in 16th-century Antwerp
One of those setbacks occurred in 1533. A great fire destroyed a large part of the cathedral, shifting the focus to restoration. The construction of the second tower was postponed… and eventually abandoned altogether.
Thirty-three years later, disaster struck again. During the Iconoclasm of 1566, Protestant reformers destroyed much of the precious interior. Things didn’t improve when Antwerp came under Protestant rule in 1581. The remaining artworks were sold or destroyed. It wasn’t until 1585 when Catholicism was reinstated under Spanish rule, that peace returned.
Troubles in the 18th century
The French revolutionaries brought further turmoil. The French sold all church properties, including altars, confessionals, pulpits, marble tombstones, and organs. Anyone trying to hide or save these items was persecuted as a thief. The city’s architect, Jan Blom, was even ordered to plan the cathedral’s demolition. Luckily, he managed to delay the process by coming up with excuses, such as claiming poor health and injuries. His perseverance saved the cathedral, as a political change in France led to the demolition plan being scrapped. In 1816, several lost artworks by Rubens returned to Antwerp. The 19th and 20th centuries then focused on full restoration.
The Cathedral of Our Lady today
Today, the Cathedral of Our Lady shines as never before. It remains a place of faith and reflection, but it also serves as a museum, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
You can find a 14th-century marble statue of Mary and 15th-century paintings among its treasures. A stately wooden “Our Lady of Antwerp” from the 16th century graces the Mary Chapel. Four Baroque masterpieces by Rubens from the 17th century are also part of the cathedral’s riches. An Ark of the Covenant-shaped tabernacle and the grand bell on the tower reflect the 18th century. The Neo-Gothic details mostly date back to the 19th century. Even the 20th century made its contributions, like the sculptures at the main portal. The Metzler organ, installed in 1993, is one of the most recent additions.
Here’s a fun fact: no building in Antwerp is allowed to exceed the 123-meter height of the cathedral’s tower. The cathedral is, quite literally, the pinnacle of the city. No wonder our most popular tour, “Highlights of Antwerp,” starts at the cathedral’s base. We take our time there to admire the impressive brick and white stone structure.
Want to truly experience Antwerp with a local guide who will tell you the city’s best stories? Book a tour with Walking in Antwerp, and let us take you through this remarkable city’s past and present.
