Description of the attraction
The current Sten Castle is part of an ancient fortified fortress built on the right bank of the Scheldt River in Antwerp. Sten, the oldest building in the city, was built in the years 1200-1225 and was called at that time Antwerp Castle. The dwelling houses of the townspeople were made of wood, only the fortress was stone, which means, in the opinion of the Antwerp people, indestructible. In the event of an enemy attack, almost the entire city could hide behind its walls.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the castle was much larger than it is now. The castle complex consisted of a manor house, a chapel, numerous barns and other utility rooms. This whole city within the city was surrounded by a high stone wall. In the 19th century, as a result of the expansion of the river and the construction of a beautiful embankment, the city authorities demolished most of the castle, leaving only the palace.
The Sten Castle has been reconstructed, completed and expanded many times, but you can still see the 13th century masonry, which differs from the neighboring stones in a darker color. From the middle of the 16th century to the beginning of the 19th century, the castle housed a prison. Since 1862, the Archaeological Museum has worked there. In the second half of the last century, it housed the Maritime Museum, which closed in 2008. Its exposition included ships that were moored in the open air. You can still see some boats that remain on the river.
Near the castle there is a statue depicting a local giant - Long Wapper. He behaved defiantly, looked into the windows of respectable townspeople, and after his pranks he rested near the Scheldt.
