A dive into Antwerp’s underground past during archeology days (Antwerp)
Two years ago, excavations were carried out in the vicinity of the disappeared Castle. The site can be visited the following days. † © Jan Van der Perre
The underground city is the central theme of the archaeologists’ days in Antwerp. From Friday and throughout the weekend, people can visit sites under supervision.
Patrick Van de Perre
It is the fifth time that there are better sites and buildings to visit in Flanders throughout Flanders. The initiative, which attracts more people, can be compared to the Open Monument Day. Also in Antwerp, several sites can be visited and the underground city is located.
Saturday there is a walk along the Burchtzone, at the height of the stairs to the Noorderterras. Remains of the medieval castle were excavated there two years ago.
Within the walled castle there are houses outside, the Steen, the Sint-Walburgiskerk and the Vierraag. Only the Stone of these buildings is still visible. Of the rest are only foundations
On the same day, you can also visit what remains of the citadel of the duke of Alva’s citadel. This citadel played an important role in Antwerp history in the sixteenth century. To experience that walk, visitors must be in the Gijzelaarsstraat on the South.
Look around in the FelixArchive
For those who find the past of the city just too much to explore, there is an exhibition in the Felix Archive about what lies beneath the Leien. Under the name ‘A canal full of treasures’ old drawings are shown of what the Leien looked like in the sixteenth and centuries.
The exhibition also includes objects that were excavated during research on and around the Leien. The exhibition at the Oudeleeuwenrui cannot be visited in advance until the autumn.
Another visit, immediately for which reservations must be made, is that in the Provincial Archaeological Depot on the Noordersingel in Borgerhout. Here, objects from all over the province are kept and made accessible.
Sunday will also be the earlier walk on and around the wharf of the disappeared Burcht on the Scheldekaaien.
Info and reservations on www.archeologiedagen.be.