Antwerp Story

The Stone Castle

Steenplein 1, Antwerp

The Stone Castle

The oldest building in the city of Antwerp has had many functions in its centuries-old existence: from prison, museum to theater venue. There was a need to adapt it to the 21st century. In 2016, by means of an Open Call, the architectural firm noAarchitecten was chosen to do the renovation, restoration and renovation of the The Stone Castle. An extension from the 1950s was replaced by a contemporary addition within which a shop and roof terrace were possible.

In the fall of 2021, The Stone Castle will reopen to the public as ‘The Antwerp Story’. Everybody can visit the building, largely for free. In this article I show you around the building.

Tapestry Room

There is a lot to discover in the shop. You can also buy my citygame ‘Het Raadsel van Rubens’ (only in Dutch). If you take the door on the left after the small staircase, you will end up in the tapestry room. Six large tapestries by Sam Vanallemeersch hang here, executed by ‘Flanders Tapestries’. He spent seven months on the design. Sam Vanallemeersch says the following about this:

The whole design was meant to be a whirlwind experience through historical and mythological situations, people, architecture and art related to the city of Antwerp with some absurdity for fun.

Each carpet has a theme and many famous people are depicted on it. Paul Van Ostaijen, Willem Elsschot, La Esterella, Wannes Van de Velde and football player Rik Coppens, among others, are interwoven in the tapestries.

10 famous people from Antwerp

In 2020, the most famous Antwerp citizens were chosen. Readers of the newspaper ‘Gazet van Antwerpen’ and a professional jury chose 10 Antwerp residents who have achieved something special in the city and the world. Their portraits hang in the stairwell at the back of the shop. If you pay close attention, you will notice that there are actually 15 instead of 10. Do you recognize them all?

1. Jeanne Brabants
2. Wannes Van de Velde
3. Peter Paul Rubens
4. Dora van der Groen
5. Nicole Van Goethem
6. De Antwerpse Zes (Antwerp Six)
7. Radja Nainggolan
8. Christoffel Plantin
9. Régine Beer
10. Hendrik Conscience

Antwerp Story

If you go up the stairs, you will pass windows that already give a beautiful view of the Scheldt river and Linkeroever. On the first floor there is a table with a model of The Stone Castle, where you can already make your first discovery. If you pay about 7 euros (or for free with the Antwerp City Card or Museum Pass), you can visit the rest of Antwerp Story. Various elements for which Antwerp has become known are ‘in the picture’ here. Among other things, the port, diamonds, fashion and gastronomy are mentioned. Antwerp art is shown on screens in a separate room. You can see the Raising of the Cross by Rubens (in the cathedral), Panamarenko and Luc Tuymans are also discussed.

Iconic buildings

It seems as if they have reserved a room especially for me: the Antwerp iconic buildings. In this room there are six wooden models with a label with the architect, name of the building and year of construction. Each model has something special in it. For example, you can sit under the Farmers Tower, admire the works of art by Rubens in the cathedral and watch the port activities in the Port House. These six buildings are featured in Antwerp Story:

1. Central Station
2. Farmers Tower
3. Cathedral
4. MAS
5. City Hall
6.  Port House

Fashion in Antwerp

In addition to architecture, art and the port, fashion could not be missed in Antwerp. Solve the quiz questions, but be sure to also take a look through the opening to the holographic studio. An old student of the Antwerp fashion academy is at work here. A technical tour de force.

After visiting Antwerp Story or when you are at the top of the stairs, you can admire the panorama for free. At the opening I caught alderman Koen Kennis musing over the Scheldt for a moment. The photo was taken on the lowest panoramic terrace, you can go up another floor and from there you have a wide view over the quays and the stream.

Guided Tours

Would you like more information about Antwerp Expo? Then book the guided tour ‘800 years of world class’ in this interesting building. If you still have questions, contact me .