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Castle (Steen)

The oldest building in Antwerp is situated on the banks of the Scheldt, near the former peninsula known as De Werf (the shipyard). The castle was built on the site of 9th-century fortifications that were the beginning of the rest of the city. Of course, the Steen has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The only things that have survived to this day are the entrance gate and the front section.

​W 1302 roku zamek stracił funkcję militarną i od tego czasu aż do 1823 roku używany był jako więzienie. Następnie mieściły się tutaj tartak, a także magazyn ryb. Od 1862 roku zamek pełnił funkcję muzeum. Początkowo jako Muzeum Starożytności, a następnie, w latach 1952-2008, jako Narodowe Muzeum Morskie.  ​

It is easy to see the difference in colors between the medieval gray stone and the 16th-century sandstone, which is the result of repeatedly rebuilding the stronghold. As you walk towards the castle, you pass a huge statue of a giant called Lange Wapper. He is an extraordinary folk hero, according to the legend, half-cheater, half-voyeur, who, despite his sympathy for children, used his height to look into other people's bedrooms.

Address: 

Steenplein 1, Antwerpen

Opening hours:

wednesday-sunday 12.00-18.00

Ticket price:

Free entrance