Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of Our Lady, whose bell tower rises 123 meters above the historic center of Antwerp, is rightfully the symbol of the city. It was built in the Gothic style over two centuries (XIV-XVI centuries) on the site of an old Romanesque church. However, the building is still considered unfinished. The cathedral was designed by father and son Amelie. Since the XVI century. contemporaries admired the external beauty of the cathedral, comparing its spire with lace, as well as amazing bell tints.
Very little remains of the original appearance of the cathedral: the exterior, the image of the Madonna and several frescoes. The church has experienced quite a few upheavals throughout its existence: fires, the destruction of works of art by iconoclasts, shelling and looting during the French Revolution. The bell tower of the cathedral is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. All in all, the church is crowned with three towers - the north (aka the bell tower), the south and the lamppost. The North Tower is open to tourists, however, exclusively under the scrutiny of the cathedral's staff.
The interior of the collection embodied the features of various styles: from Gothic to Rococo, which was the result of numerous restoration and restoration work. Inside, the cathedral amazes with its huge space, its interior is solemn, and the walls are decorated with works by the world-famous artist - Peter Rubens, as well as canvases by Martin de Vos, Jacob de Baker and Otto van Veen. Two of Rubens' canvases have also been awarded World Heritage status.
Antwerp Cathedral is not the last place in the history of music. Many famous composers and organists have served and worked here. The cathedral has two organs, the main one being over 130 years old. It has 90 registers and covers an area of three floors. The choir of the cathedral did not interrupt its activities even during hostilities. The female and male choirs conduct chants almost every Sunday morning during Mass. They also go on tour every year.
