Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp (must see)

The Cathedral of Our Lady stands as the most prominent landmark in Antwerp, overlooking the city since the 14th century and continuing to dominate its skyline with a 123-metre Gothic tower—the tallest church tower in the Benelux region.

Construction began in 1352 on the site of earlier religious buildings, including a small chapel dating back to the early 10th century and a later Romanesque church. Although the cathedral took more than a century to complete and was originally planned with two towers, only the north tower was finished, giving the structure its distinctive asymmetrical profile. Considered one of the largest and most impressive Gothic churches of its time, the cathedral has endured a turbulent history marked by fires, raids, and iconoclastic destruction, yet it has been repeatedly restored and remains a defining presence in the city.

Inside, the cathedral opens into a vast, light-filled space shaped by soaring columns, wide aisles, and intricate Gothic detailing, with Baroque elements enriching parts of the interior. One of its main attractions is its exceptional collection of artworks, most notably masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens. In the North Transept, located to the left as you face the main altar, stands The Raising of the Cross. Painted in 1610, this triptych is known for its Baroque energy; notice the diagonal composition of Christ’s body and the strained muscles of the men struggling to lift the cross.

Directly opposite, in the South Transept, is its companion piece, The Descent from the Cross. Here, look for the pale, luminescent body of Christ being lowered, with the figure in red holding him representing St. John.

At the far eastern end of the nave, positioned directly above the High Altar, is The Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This 1626 altarpiece is the only Rubens masterpiece in the cathedral that still sits in the exact location for which it was originally painted; observe the swirling movement of the angels, designed to draw the eye toward the light of the choir windows.