Het Steen (Steen Castle), Antwerp

Het Steen (Steen Castle), Antwerp

Antwerp is Europe’s second largest seaports and through the years this has played a very critical role in the history of the city. Where at one hand Antwerp enjoyed the benefits of the sea with trade and commerce, the open blue water and its vulnerable position also attracted Vikings and other plunderers over the years.

One of the oldest structures in Antwerp is the Het Steen, a castle which was once a part of a long wall of fortification around the city of Antwerp.

The Het Steen is believed to have been around since 650 AD, when the structure was only made up of clay and mud. It was however not until the 9th century that the city got its first fortified walls built of stone to protect the interiors from the Viking plunderers. During the reign of Otto 1, the walls were fortified for establishing the city of Antwerp.

From serving as a military protection to a prison and finally a museum, the Het Steen has changed its role in time.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Antwerp. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Het Steen (Steen Castle) on Map

Sight Name: Het Steen (Steen Castle)
Sight Location: Antwerp, Belgium (See walking tours in Antwerp)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Antwerp, Belgium

Create Your Own Walk in Antwerp

Create Your Own Walk in Antwerp

Creating your own self-guided walk in Antwerp is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Antwerp Introduction Walking Tour

Antwerp Introduction Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Antwerp Historic Center Walk

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Here history awaits you practically round every corner – seen in the ancient building-fronts...  view more

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Antwerp's Historical Churches Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles