Meir – Local tips (art & culture)

This magnificent Church was built between 1615 & 1621. The Hendrik Conscience Square faces this church. It just overwhelms you: the size, the details, the facade…

This church was built with paintings, architecture and sculptures designed by Pieter Paul Rubens. Although this is a very big church it’s not that easy to spot in the skyline of Antwerp. It’s a bit covered by more modern and bigger buildings. But once you arrive on the square you will understand the uniqueness of this “hidden” church.

The square in front of the church is very relaxing as well. Usually a lonesome violin player is playing his instrument, bringing a calm, relaxing atmosphere over the area, and that only adds to the “grandeur” of the church.

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Carolus Borromeus Church | Art & culture
Hendrik Conscience Plein | Meir | +3232313751
Mon – Sat: 10:00 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 17:00, Sun before Church service

One of the city’s proud is city hall. This renaissance building is a part of the Unesco heritage. In Antwerp we reffer to it as – ‘t schoon verdiep – (the beautiful floor) referring to the beautiful first floor. This is where the mayor of Antwerp has his office. All official city receptions are held here as well like weddings etc.

In front of the city hall you’ll see the statue of Antigone trowing away a hand from where Antwerp got its name. Hand Werpen (Trowing hands) –> Antwerpen

Antigone guarded the city port, boatsmen who refused to pay taxes got their hand cut. The hand was then tossed in the river Schelde.

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City Hall | Art & culture
Grote Markt | Meir
For opening times see tourist office

When you are in Antwerp on a Friday morning, it is something you really have to see: the strange and famous ‘Vrijdagse Markt’. Go there!

It’s great and it’s so typically Antwerp. It’s a little adventure on a Friday morning. It’s a second hand market but what it makes different is the way of selling: it ’s an auction, they talk really ‘aantwaarps’ and sometimes you think they will be fighting soon because people get all incited.

They mostly sell furniture and bicycles but it is incredible what else you can buy there: a box with toothbrushes made in 1963, a complete correspondence between a mother and a son over twenty years, a broken toaster, dirty teddy bears, etc. Sometimes it is real rubbish and sometimes it is a treasure. A lot of the things come from old people that died, shops that went bankrupt.

It starts at nine in the morning and it finishes at one o’clock in the afternoon. The garbage car comes between one and two and cleans the whole square. And that’s necessary. All the things that nobody wanted are left behind.

I don’t know how long it already exists, but I guess it was always there. I’m mostly working on a Friday morning and i don’t go there often, but when I have the chance i don’t want to miss it, this special market, so lively, so energetic.

And maybe nice to know: the museum of Plantijn en Moretus is on the same square…

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Friday Market | Art & culture, Shopping, Festivals & events | Free
Vrijdagmarkt | Meir
Fri 09:00 – 13:00

The largest worldwide collection of comics in Europe: Mekanik Strip has been the leader for 25 years already!

You can find any comic book, and many gadget, postcards, t-shirts and dolls in here. If you don’t find it here, probably you won’t find it anywhere…

On the first floor you can visit an interesting artgallery, entrance free!

The two owners of the shop, Lin & Jan, will help you like no one else. Her profound knowledge of the comic-universe will guide you to that one thing you badly want to find.

We have several comic-walls in the city, all because of her! Go and visit the shop, you’ll be surprised by all the toys!

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Mekanik Strip | Art & culture, Shopping | Comics workshop € 15.00
Sint Jacobsmarkt 73 | Meir | +3232342347
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 18:00

The Museum Plantin Moretus has an extraordinary collection of typographical material, has a beautiful library and a fantastic interior (with golden leather!!). But this is not why I love this museum so much…

I love it because of it’s fantastic garden or courtyard to be exact. You can see it on the picture above… It’s so calm and quiet… the perfect place to hide from the busy city once in a while. It is situated on the lovely Friday Market, which has a few very nice cafes.

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Museum Plantin Moretus | Art & culture | Adult € 6.40
Vrijdagmarkt 22 – 23 | Meir | +3232211450
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Antwerp hosts many libraries, some of them practical, some big, some renown and some of them are not accessible for public visits. The Nottebohm Library is one of those closed libraries. Only once or twice a year the public is allowed to have a peek at its rich and beautiful content.

Today i was lucky to enter the library and view it in his full glory. I was amazed by the massive old books stored there (over 35 km if placed next to each other) and this all in a great historic room. It opens occasionally – check the website for opening weekends. It’s definitely worth a visit.

More pictures here – full screen

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Nottebohm Library | Art & culture | Free
Hendrik Conscienceplein 4 | Meir
Check website for opening times

The Zwarte Panther (Black Panter) is a famous art gallery in Antwerp where I walk in from time to time. In the Hoogstraat, a small street where no cars are allowed, you wouldn’t expect this interesting complex building with nice spaces, a cute inner court, a chapel, a cellar and a little house behind the chapel.

In 1303 it was a little guesthouse (Sint Julianus Gasthuis) where poor pilgrims could stay a while. In 1968 the gallery opened. They say it is the oldest gallery in Flanders and the second oldest in Belgium for contemporary art. Adriaan Raemdonck, the gallery owner is passionate and takes his job very seriously.

There are almost permanently exhibitions by famous artists like Fred Bervoets, Jan Cox, Pjeroo Roobjee, Sam Dillemans, Jan Vanriet and many others.

I find it a an interesting place, not only because of the great art you can find there, but also because of the location from the Middle ages. The chapel (restored in 1956-1958) is simple but beautiful, the art in it is special. The inner court is idyllic, the rooms upstairs are light and pleasant. The art of Fred Bervoets is impressive.

Once in a time I walk in, and enjoy this oasis in the city. It is a spot where art meets history and that’s a good marriage.

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Zwarte Panter | Art & culture | Free
Hoogstraat 70-72-74 | Meir | +3232331345
Thu – Sun 13:30 – 18:00