Het Steen

Het Steen is a medieval fortress on the right bank of the Scheldt river in the old town of Antwerp, in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It stands on the site of an earlier fortification dating to the early Middle Ages that is associated with the origin of the settlement, and the oldest part of the existing stone building dates from around 1200. The name means simply the stone or stone building. Over the centuries it served as a castle, a seat of government, a prison and a place of justice. Emperor Charles V had the fortress rebuilt and expanded in the 16th century, giving it much of its present appearance, and during the 19th century a large part of the surrounding old town was cleared when the Scheldt quays were rebuilt, leaving Het Steen standing as an isolated landmark. It was restored in the 20th century, including work in the 1950s, and reopened as the National Maritime Museum, which later moved to the MAS museum in 2011. The structure is built of limestone and sandstone, with a gate, a rectangular tower and defensive walls overlooking the river. Visitors will see a Romanesque-style gate with a relief of Charles V, and the Scheldt promenade in front, where a statue of the legendary giant Lange Wapper stands at the entrance. This statue was created in 1963 by Albert Poels. The exterior can be viewed at any time, and it is a free and convenient stop beside the Scheldt waterfront and the Grote Markt area, with the cathedral about ten minutes away on foot. Interior access varies with exhibitions and events, and visitors should check current arrangements before planning a visit. The fabric is well maintained, although much of the medieval detail has been altered by successive restorations.