't Steen

Only one building of the old part of Antwerp escaped demolition when the quays on the river Scheldt were constructed in the 19th century: 't Steen (the Stone). The Steen was built around the year 1200 as the fortification of the alluvial mound. It was named Steen, which is Dutch for stone, as it was one of the first buildings constructed in stone.


The Steen was altered several times during history. It was extended during Charles V's reign around 1520 by the architects Keldermans and De Waghemakere. The chapel above the entrance dates from this period.


From 1549 till 1823 the building served as a prison and in 1862 it became an archeological museum. The Steen was renovated again in 1890 and a wing in neo-gothic style was added.

Today the Steen houses the National Maritime Museum. Adjacent to the ancient structure, the Maritime museum also displays several old vessels in open-air.