The Steen
The Steen is a former castle on the banks of the Scheldt river where according to legend, the giant Antigoon used to live. It was built at the beginning of the thirteenth century and it is the oldest building in Antwerp.
The Steen was built to protect the city but also to keep an eye on the navigation on the Scheldt. At the beginning of the sixteenth century the castle was thoroughly renovated. For centuries the building was used as a prison, until the early 19th century. The bulk of the castle was demolished in the 19th century when the quays of the Scheldt were widened. Nearby the Steen is a statue of the Lange Wapper, the local villain who enjoyed playing pranks on drunken sailors. The Steen now houses the National Maritime Museum.
Address: Steenplein
Postal code: 2000
City: Antwerp
