Cathedral Of Our Lady (Antwerp) Size report

Anyone who comes to Antwerp must attend the cathedral in the city - the Cathedral of Our Lady (Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal). This magnificent cathedral not only houses the four most important masterpieces of Rubens but is also one of the most spectacular buildings in Antwerp. It is also the tallest and most beautiful Gothic in Belgium and even in the Lowlands (the Benelux and northern France). The cathedral is known as the "medieval skyscraper."

The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp was built in 1352. The cathedral has undergone several renovations and added many styles in the following centuries, such as Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo. Antwerp's cathedral was designed and built by several architects. And it became the cathedral of the Archbishop of Antwerp in 1559.

The Cathedral of Our Lady is a symbol of Antwerp. It is like a lacework made of stone and has been one of Europe's most famous Gothic buildings since 1352. The cathedral has been a landmark of the area for centuries. Even now, the 123 meters tower still dominate the city and are a sign for ships entering the port of Antwerp.

Cathedral of Our Lady Size and Structure

Before the 12th century, it was only a small parish church. Since 1352, it has undergone nearly 170 years of renovation and expansion; the first stage of construction was ended in 1521. It has become the skyline of Antwerp and the largest Gothic cathedral in the lowland area. The most attractive part of the cathedral is the tower, which is 123 meters high, and the fine decoration on the tower is breathtaking. The row of bells composed of 47 bells on the tower was completed by three artisans and took a century. The northern tower of the Church of Our Lady soars into the sky. The big clocks on the tower are all treasures left in the torrent of history, which are worth seeing.

In terms of the interior of the cathedral, there are sculptures and paintings full of artistic sense: the marble statues of the 14th century, the murals of the 15th century, the statue of the Virgin Mary who appeared in the 16th century, the Baroque masterpieces of Rubens in the early 17th century. Here you can enjoy the representative works of Rubens—altarpieces such as "The Ascension of Jesus," "The Dismounting of Jesus," and "The Ascension of the Virgin."

Measurements of Cathedral of Our Lady

This majestic Cathedral of Our Lady occupies about 1 hectare, with a length of 120 meters and a width of 75 meters. Its 123-meter-high spire was a beautiful landmark of Antwerp. Today, you can still see its towering spire from kilometers away. Walking through the 232 steps to the top of the bell tower, visitors can overlook the majestic Alps, the sparkling Lake Leman, and the whole of Lausanne. This clock tower is particularly different because it retains the only custom of "night watch and telling the time" in the world. This cathedral has a capacity of about 25,000.

Final Words

The Cathedral of Our Lady's overall architectural appearance is well preserved and known as the most beautiful and luxurious church. On the church's main entrance are 13th-century statues with the theme of saints Moses and John in the Bible. Their exquisite craftsmanship still amazes people today. The church's interior is solemn and solemn, with medieval paintings on many stone pillars; the most famous is the Rose Window; the paintings on the windows are based on the theme of cosmic images formed in different seasons and months. Today, the cathedral is surrounded by various buildings, but it is still the tallest and most conspicuous landmark.