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The townhall of Antwerp was built between 1561 and 1565, making it one of the oldest Renaissance buildings left in the Lage Landen (Lower countries). In the beginning of the 16th century there were plans to make a new Town hall in Gothic style. It was only 20 years after the plans that the city had the financial resources to make those changes, but by that time the plan was unshelved. The present town hall clearly shows that it was built at the time the city was at it's peak of power and wealth. There used to be little shops behind the 45 doors on the groundfloorlevel. The rent the shopkeepers paid was used to help the finance of this beautiful building. In the middle you can see the statues of Lady Justicia and Lady Prudentia. The shields are the ones from the Duke of Brabant , the Spanish king Phillip II and the one from the Markgrave of Antwerp. On top there is a Madonna statue that was put there by the Jesuits during the counter- reformation. The decoration on the inside is mostly 19th century. Highly recomended to visit!
Address: Grote Markt 1, 2000 Antwerpen.
Opening hours: Monday, tuesday, wednesday & friday at 11.00, 14.00 and 15.00 hrs. Saturday at 11.00, 14.00 and 15.00 hrs.�
Closed on: .Thursday, sunday and public holidays
Entrance fee:� 30 Bfr p.p or 15 Bfr p.p for groups of min. 20 people.
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