Het Steen Castle in Antwerp

The historic medieval Het Steen Castle or also known as Antwerp Castle is one of the biggest attractions of the Belgian city of Antwerp. Antwerp has a rich ancient history and is known as the noble capital of the country.

It is located in the eponymous northern part of Belgium and Antwerp lies on the right bank of the river Scheldt which flows into the North Sea. The port of Antwerp is the second largest in the European Union then Rotterdam. The impressive castle Het Steen is located in the old town of Antwerp.

Erected between 1200 and 1225 the Het Steen is today considered the oldest building in the Belgian city. At that time the palace was known simply as castle of Antwerp. After a major renovation and expansion of the medieval fortress in 1520 during the reign of Charles V, it was then called Het Steen, which literally means "The Rock". However, before you come to this name, the castle was some times called Heeren Steen or "Royal Stone Rock". In general, the Dutch word Steen was used both for stone and castle.

In the first centuries after its construction Het Steen was used to control the vessels on the river Scheld. Then in 1303 Het Steen Castle enters a long and dark period of history, when used as a prison. As such, the palace served until 1827. For this significant period of time the castle becomes an arena of hundreds, perhaps thousands of brutal killings and torture.

Richer prisoners were locked in the right wing and the poor - on the left. But all of them fall victim to unbelievable torture - cutting of hands, feet, heads, burning, etc.

Later a part of the structure of the castle was destroyed to build roads connecting the southern and northern parts of the port.

In 1890 Het Steen Castle becomes a museum of archeology, and in 1952 as an addition the museum of maritime history at Antwerp was built. Visitors can also see the war memorial of the Canadian soldiers from World War II. The National Maritime Museum of Het Steen was operational by 2008 but later closes.