Cathedral · Belgium · Restored

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal

The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) in Antwerp is a large Brabantine Gothic cathedral whose construction began in 1352 and reached its main completed stage by the early 16th century. Its 123 m north tower, broad multi-aisled plan and an interior holding major Peter Paul Rubens altarpieces make it the city's principal medieval church and the seat of the Diocese of Antwerp.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1352

Its prime

1626

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1626

What Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal looked like in its prime.

A vast cruciform Brabantine Gothic church in pale Balegem sandstone, dominated by a single completed north spire rising to 123 m with gilt clock faces and lace-like stone tracery. The roof is steep and dark (slate), with broad seven-aisled elevations pierced by tall pointed traceried windows and buttressed walls. The west façade shows a carved portal and tympanum; the crossing carries a compact wooden tower above the vaults. At prime the exterior stonework and glazed windows are whole and the interior filled with large altarpieces and baroque furnishings.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1626.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, including 7 interiors: north tower viewing gallery, central nave looking east, choir and high altar and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Groenplaats approach (south plaza, statue foreground)Handschoenmarkt — west portal and tympanumNorth tower viewing galleryCentral nave looking eastChoir and high altarSouthern side-aisle before Rubens' altarpieceCrossing beneath the wooden towerMariakapel (Our Lady chapel)Tomb of Isabella of Bourbon (side chapel)

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