Overview:

: The Cathedral of Our Lady is the main Romanesque-Gothic Roman Catholic church of the city of Antwerp, Belgium. It dates back to the 15th century and has witnessed 500 years of history. The square construction is completed by a triple apsidal choir and a western tower, in which the carillon peals out the notes of the "Antwerp City Anthem" daily. The interior is adorned with artworks from various periods, including a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a major landmark in the city. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium is an incredible Gothic masterpiece. With its soaring spires, grandiose stained-glass windows and intricate sculptural details, this remarkable building is one of the most stunning in all of Belgium. Built between the late 13th and early 16th centuries, the cathedral is the largest in all of Belgium and the sixth largest church building in the world. The main façade and interior feature hundreds of sculptures of saints and Biblical scenes. The cathedral is home to some of the country’s most revered Catholic relics, including the relics of the city’s patron saints Pancratius and Norbert. Inside the cathedral is a vast interior, which is filled with priceless works of art, including triptychs by Peter Paul Rubens. Visitors can also marvel at the massive organ, salvaged from the town’s destroyed medieval cathedral. The cathedral is also home to several illuminated manuscripts and other ancient artifacts. The Cathedral of Our Lady is Antwerp’s most memorable landmark and a must-see on any trip to Belgium. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady began as a small church dedicated to Mary the Mother of God in the 12th century, located on the site of a large Roman basilica. Over time, the size and grandeur of the church grew as donations from merchants and local rulers increased. In the 16th century the church was recreated in the Gothic style, while later Baroque and Neoclassical additions were added over the centuries. Parts of the interior, including the painting of the "Fall of St. Paul," by Peter Paul Rubens, survived the bombings of the First and Second World Wars, preserving the church's beauty and artwork. In the mid-1980s, major renovations and preservation efforts were made by city officials, which included the creation of a new nave, which could house up to 1,500 people, and the addition of modern amenities. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 due to its intricate architectural design, history, and art collections, including works of famous Flemish painters such as Rubens and Van Dyck. Today, it remains an important religious and cultural landmark for the people in Belgium and around the world. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Cathedral of Our Lady, in Antwerp, Belgium, is the largest Gothic style cathedral in the Low Countries. A symbol of the city’s rich history, the cathedral began construction in 1351 and was not completed until 1521. 2. The Cathedral was built on the site of a smaller Romanesque chapel, believed to date from the late 11th or early 12th century. 3. The 130-meter long building is renowned for its ornate interior, which includes a vast array of baroque art, including of Peter Paul Rubens’ ‘The Descent from the Cross’, as well as Rubens’ own tomb. 4. The cathedral also houses a ‘lamb’, the symbol of the city of Antwerp, which is found in various forms throughout the structure. 5. The Cathedral of Our Lady is the home of the world’s oldest religious and cultural relic – a fragment of the veil given to St. Veronica by Christ, as he was led away to be crucified. 6. The cathedral also features the world’s smallest Gothic chapel, built in the floor of the nave to serve as the private chapel of a guild of goldsmiths and silversmiths in the 17th century. 7. The cathedral has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and designated as a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II. 8. The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp is often compared to Notre Dame de Paris and the Cologne Cathedral. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era