Het Steen

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Steen castle in Antwerp

The castle Steen on the right bank of the Scheldt, the city castle of Antwerp.

History

The first mention of the castle Het Steen ( " The Stone " ) dated to the 12th century. Thus, it is the oldest preserved building of the city of Antwerp. The castle was part of the fortification and should protect the access to the city from the direction of the Westerschelde. In 1520 Emperor Charles V. certain that the castle should be renovated and remodeled to accommodate artillery can.

Later the castle was used as a prison. One of the vestiges still the crucifix over the entrance. It symbolizes the place had to talk to the criminals condemned to death her ​​last prayer before his execution.

Until 1823 Steen served as a prison, then the building had different requirements, eg as a house, sawmill and fish stock. From 1862 the building was a museum of antiquities and 1952-2008, the National Maritime Museum. The collection is now in the MAS | MAS Museum in Antwerp will be visited.

Current usage

Het Steen, Antwerp as you call them, since 1952, is home to the National Maritime Museum in Belgium. Here ship models of famous, historic ships, as well as paintings, nautical instruments, photos and documents can be visited. Can be considered as well as the original of the barge Westhinder III.

Plant

Little is known about the original state of the castle. The newer system from the 16th century but was built according to the standards of the nobility for more comfort. The actual dungeon no longer exists. In contrast, massive, palatial buildings were built. Above the main entrance is a wall-walk is attached, which is equipped with machicolated. A massive round tower with battlements secures the entrance on the right side, another round tower with conical roof and pitch nose is to the left. Seaward bastions were built to house the artillery. Striking is the architecture of the system. Clearly marked Hanseatic are the stepped gables.

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