Saint Michael’s Abbey

Archaeologists found the foundation of the church of Saint Michael’s Abbey in this location. The abbey was founded in 1124 and soon became very powerful and prosperous. A new church was built in the fifteenth century. The abbey suffered during the turbulent sixteenth century but the next century was its golden age. Famous artists such as Rubens helped re-design the church. From 1796, the church was used as a depot. In 1830, Dutch troops shelled the site and everything went up in flames. The city demolished the remnants of the depot and built new streets here. The street name - 'Verbrande-Entrepotstraat' (Burnt Depot Street) - still refers to the fire.

GISid: 
092
Afbeelding: 
Saint Michael’s Abbey in all its glory
Saint Michael’s Abbey as seen from the Scheldt quays
The gate to Saint Michael’s Abbey by J. Linnig
The abbey church’s interior (1694)
View of the burning arsenal in the former Saint Michael’s Abbey in Antwerp
The former abbey buildings, used as an arsenal and prison, after the fire of 17 October 1830
The ruins of the former abbey after the fire of 27 October 1830
Latitude: 
51.22
Longitude: 
4.39

Categorie: