Het Steen Castle

Part of a former ring rampart castle on the right bank of the Scheldt. A beautiful building.

Busy road. Lot of tourisme and traffic lights. Thought it would be fun to ride in Antwerp on my racer. Better to do it on a tourisme rental bike and enjoy all the sightseeing.

Het Steen is a medieval fortress in the historic centre of Antwerp and is considered the oldest building in the city. It was built between 1200 and 1225 as a gatehouse to the Antwerp castle. Over the centuries, Het Steen has had various functions, including as a prison from the 14th century to 1823, and later as a museum. After a thorough renovation, Het Steen reopened in October 2021 as a tourist information centre. Visitors can go there for information, tickets and exhibitions. There is also an experience trail that tells more about the history and identity of both the city and the building itself. The complex also houses a cruise terminal, allowing sea and river cruises to dock in the heart of the historic centre. A striking feature at the entrance to Het Steen is the bas-relief of Semini, a figure from Scandinavian mythology associated with youth and fertility. Above the entrance there is also a statue of the giant Lange Wapper, a legendary figure who, according to folklore, terrorised the city's inhabitants in the Middle Ages.