Point of interest
Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal)
in Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium's largest Gothic cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a 123-metre spire and four major paintings by Rubens inside.
Where it is
The cathedral stands in the heart of Antwerp's old town, just steps from the Grote Markt, with its entrance on the Handschoenmarkt.
Address: 21 Groenplaats, 2000 Antwerp
What it is
Inside hang several major works by Peter Paul Rubens, including the celebrated Raising of the Cross and Descent from the Cross triptychs, alongside paintings by Otto van Veen and Marten de Vos. The luminous interior and the tower visible across the city make the cathedral the natural starting point for any visit to Antwerp.
History
Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1352 and dragged on for almost two centuries; the first building phase ended in 1521, but it was never fully completed. With its 123-metre tower it is the largest Gothic church in Belgium, and its belfry is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Belfries of Belgium and France.