Name: Het Steen
Address: Steenplein 1, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Telephone: 03 233 68 56
Rating: 4.3

Landmark city center medieval fortress & Antwerp's oldest building set along the riverfront.

Grand Place

Provided by Google

Efteling

Atomium

Manneken Pis

De Pier

Het Steen is considered Antwerp's oldest building, with parts dating back to the early Middle Ages.

Antwerp's Oldest Building

For a time, Het Steen served as a butcher's guildhall, hence the name 'Butcher's Gate' that it was sometimes known by.

Former Purpose

Het Steen was used as a prison for several centuries, adding a darker chapter to its long history.

Grim History

A statue of Lange Wapper, a mischievous giant from Antwerp folklore, stands guard outside Het Steen.

Home to a Giant

Het Steen is strategically located on the banks of the Scheldt river, playing a crucial role in the city's defense and trade.

Riverside Location

Het Steen

Het Steen, a medieval fortress in Antwerp, stands as a testament to the city's enduring history, though its current appearance is largely a product of 19th-century restoration. Originally known as Antwerp Castle, it's one of the city's oldest structures, predating even the Grote Markt. Intriguingly, Het Steen wasn't initially built on the Scheldt River's edge; land reclamation has since altered the coastline. The statue of Lange Wapper, a mischievous folklore giant, guards the entrance, a whimsical touch that contrasts with the fortress's stern facade. While often perceived as a defensive stronghold, Het Steen served various purposes throughout its existence, including a prison and even a sawmill. Its role as a prison is particularly noteworthy, housing inmates until 1827. The presence of the Semini stone, a Roman-era artifact embedded in the wall, hints at an even deeper, pre-medieval history, suggesting the site's significance long before the castle's construction.

Introduction

Architectural Palimpsest

Het Steen, an iconic medieval fortress in Antwerp, stands as a testament to the city's historical defenses. Originally constructed as part of the city's protective wall along the Scheldt river, Het Steen played a crucial role in controlling access and defending Antwerp from potential attacks. Its robust stone structure, a hallmark of medieval military architecture, provided a formidable barrier against invaders. Over the centuries, Het Steen underwent modifications and served various purposes, yet its core function as a defensive stronghold remained central to its identity. The fortress's strategic location on the riverbank allowed it to monitor and control river traffic, ensuring the safety and prosperity of Antwerp's trade. The architectural design reflects the period's military engineering principles, incorporating features designed to withstand sieges and repel enemy forces. Although later repurposed, the imposing structure of Het Steen continues to evoke its origins as a vital component of Antwerp's medieval fortifications. The fortress is a tangible link to the past, offering insights into the defensive strategies and architectural prowess of the medieval era. Its enduring presence on the Antwerp skyline serves as a reminder of the city's rich history and its strategic importance throughout the centuries.

Medieval Fortress

Semini Fertility Figure

Het Steen, Antwerp's oldest structure, stands as a sentinel, bearing witness to the city's rich maritime history. Originally built as a fortress to protect access to the Scheldt River, it played a crucial role in controlling maritime traffic and defending the port. Its strategic location on the riverbank made it a key point for overseeing trade and navigation, essential for Antwerp's growth as a major European port.

Over the centuries, Het Steen has served various functions, including a prison and a museum of maritime history, further cementing its connection to Antwerp's seafaring past. Today, while serving as a visitor center, it remains a potent symbol of Antwerp's enduring relationship with the sea. The panoramic roof terrace offers views of the modern port, a tangible link between the city's historical maritime defenses and its current status as one of Europe's largest and most important ports. The proximity to the St. Anna’s Pedestrian Tunnel, which runs under the Scheldt River, highlights the ongoing efforts to connect the city with both banks of the river, facilitating maritime activities and access to the port. Het Steen, therefore, is not merely an old building but a living testament to Antwerp's maritime gateway.

Het Steen

Did You Know?

Antwerp's Oldest Building

Former Purpose

Grim History

Home to a Giant

Highlights from Reviews

Location