ANTWERP CATHEDRAL,Belgium,European Scenery,1836 Antique Steel Engraving Historical Collectible Art Print

The cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve-Vrouwkathedraal) is the symbol of Antwerp. This marvelous edifice that spreads out on 1 hectare is the biggest gothic cathedral of the old Netherlands (Belgium and Holland). Venerated since 9 centuries it’s home is Antwerp all right and undissociable from its skyline with its123 meters high spire and strange bulb cupola at the summit of the crossing point of the transept, well visible from the outside, wherever you are to observe the cathedral....In the 9th century, it was a small chapel, located outside the city walls. Its history begins when the roman church (12th century) was improved to a parish church. The church suffered a lot of changments in the 13th and 14th century until it was demolished. Then they started the actual cathedral, the city of Antwerp being at that time one of the richest in Europe. Its construction (1352-1521) took almost two centuries.And at the start it was planned to build it three times bigger: nothing was too much to show off the prosperity of the city! The choirs (1352-1356) are the most ancient part. The foundation for the towers was built in 1420 and 1430 with Pieter Appelmans as the main architect.Masterwork of Gothic, it has seven naves and 125 pillars!! widening the church to 67, long 119 meters and some vaults going up to 27 meters. 128 windows are coloured, its roofs cover more than a hectare! The spire towers123 meters high (said that already before;-)), with a carillon with 47 bells All professions and corporations wanted to have their own altar in the church, which makes 57 of them.