147 Antwerp, Belgium, Cathedral of Our Lady : Rubens galore !

I was very excited to have a couple of days in Antwerp, because my sister was there, and to be able to see a whole bunch of churches. The cathedral is a great experience. Before you go in, have a look at the sculpted group of cathedral builders installed in front, in honour of Pieter Appelmans and his father, architects who directed the construction of the cathedral in the 14th century.

In 1566  protestant  attackers smashed the place up, and in 1794 supporters of the French Revolution did considerable damage too.

This is Antwerp so you’ve got to have your Rubens. His house is just up the road ; there is a statue of him in the square outside, and the cathedral  contains four magnificent paintings by the Flemish genius : The Raising of the Cross, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, The Descent from the Cross and The Resurrection of Christ .

A series of moving if far less spectacular paintings show scenes from Mary’s life.

The Baroque pulpit is stunning, and highly ornate confessionals greet your sinners.

There is a plaque outside, in Latin, in memory of soldiers from the various parts of the British Empire who died in Belgium in the First World War.