Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Antwerpen

A fortress had been built here just after the first Viking raids, to control the access to the Scheldt river. It was known under the name "Burcht", but the name changed to "Het Steen" (steen = stone) after a rebuilding under Charles V (born 1500 in nearby Ghent). Between 1303 and 1827 the fortress was mainly used as a prison. During the 19th century most buildings got demolished. The surviving parts got restored and now host a museum.

Tourists stroll around the "Grote Markt" to marvel the guildhalls, elaborate, ornate buildings, demonstrating the guild's wealth and status.

The "Cathedral of Our Lady" (= "Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal") is the see of the Diocese of Antwerp. The building of the cathedral started in 1352 and the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, when the church got consecrated. In 1533 the new church caught fire and got severyl damaged. Protestants raided the church in 1566. Many treasures, that had survived the iconoclastic fever got removed and sold, when Antwerp came under Protestant administration in 1581. After French revolutionaries conquered Anwerp 1794, the church was used as a stable. In 1798 the French administration intended to demolish the building. Time changed and within the 19th century the church was restored and refurnished. The cathedral´s spire is 123 metres high!

The "Cathedral of Our Lady" (= "Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal") is the see of the Diocese of Antwerp. The building of the cathedral started in 1352 and the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, when the church got consecrated. In 1533 the new church caught fire and got severyl damaged. Protestants raided the church in 1566. Many treasures, that had survived the iconoclastic fever got removed and sold, when Antwerp came under Protestant administration in 1581. After French revolutionaries conquered Anwerp 1794, the church was used as a stable. In 1798 the French administration intended to demolish the building. Time changed and within the 19th century the church was restored and refurnished. www.dekathedraal.be/en

One of Europe's first skyscrapers, the "Boerentoren", designed by Jan Van Hoenacker, was constructed between 1929 and 1932. With a height of 87,5 m. It was the tallest building on the continent by roof height until in 1940. In 1976, the roof of the tower was raised by 8,30 m, so the current roof height is 95,8 m. In Antwerp only the tower of the cathedral is higher.

Antwerp´s central railway station was constructed between 1895 and 1905. The architect Louis Delacenserie created a kind of cathedral of mobility.