TEMPUS-platform

Starting from the fourteenth century, every era has made its mark in our Cathedral. From this vantage point you can spot a representative of each century.

With an extensive restoration project you can elect to put a specific era in the spotlight while removing elements from other periods. This is not the case in our Cathedral, which aims to be a place where traces can be found of almost 700 years of history.

TEMPUS-platform

lesus Christus heri, et hodie: ipse et in sæcula.
Jesus Christ, yesterday and today: the same forever.
The organic development of this edifice and its art treasures is a reflection of our own journey through life. Searching and probing. Through trial and error. A Christian has faith that this labyrinth has one constant: Jesus Christ travelling alongside us. He remains the same: yesterday, today and in all perpetuity.

XIV

XIV

Mary with Child, Anonymous

SCULPTURE
COLLECTION CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ANTWERP

This endearing statue is one of the oldest works of art in our Cathedral, a magnificent example of Gothic sculpture.

XV

XV

Isabelle of Bourbon, Anonymous

SCULPTURE
COLLECTION CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ANTWERP

The bronze tomb statue of Isabella of Bourbon brilliantly interprets 15th-century art and culture. It embodies Burgundian wealth and power.

 

XVI

XVI

Miraculous Catch of Fish, Hans van Elburcht

PAINTING
COLLECTION CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ANTWERP

This painting was commissioned by the guild of fishmongers for their altar in the cathedral around 1560. Therefore it is no coincidence that it tells the story of the miraculous catch of fish.

XVII

XVII

Raising of the Cross, Peter Paul Rubens

PAINTING
COLLECTION CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ANTWERP

Rubens' imposing triptych, with its dramatic expression, intense emotions and rich detail, is considered one of the leading representatives of Baroque and Counter-Reformation painting.

XVIII

XVIII

Pulpit, Michiel van der Voort

FURNITURE
COLLECTION CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ANTWERP

This oak pulpit is a majestic piece of carving from the eighteenth century, originally made for St Bernard's Abbey in Hemiksem.

XIX

XIX

Schyven Organ, Pierre Schyven

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
COLLECTION CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ANTWERP

This instrument is highly regarded by experts as a prime example of romantic organ building, especially suitable for symphonic music composed after 1840.

XX

XX

The restoration of the Cathedral

ARCHITECTURE

Between 1965 and 2015, the Province of Antwerp, with support from the Flemish government, restored both the interior and exterior of Antwerp Cathedral. Today, our Cathedral shines like never before.

XXI

XXI

The Man who Bears the Cross, Jan Fabre

SCULPTURE
LOAN, PRIVATE COLLECTION

This artwork by Antwerp multidisciplinary artist Jan Fabre was placed in the Cathedral in 2015, making it the first contemporary artwork to be introduced in the space since 1924.