Green Square

Since the 13th century, the south side of the Cathedral of Our Lady has served as a cemetery, especially for poorer residents who could not afford to be buried inside the church. Until the 18th century, the Groenplaats was the main cemetery of Antwerp. During the Austrian occupation, Emperor Joseph II prohibited further burials within the city walls. The cemetery was closed and transformed into a square with 121 lime trees. The French renamed the square Place Verte. The intention of the French revolutionaries was to place a monument in the middle of the square in honor of Liberty. Instead, in 1843, the statue of the illustrious painter Peter Paul Rubens was installed, created by sculptor Willem Geefs. In the southern corner of the square, there is a kiosk for music events. On the north side, the Cathedral of Our Lady towers high above the cafés and terraces. The east side is occupied by the façade of the former Grand Bazar du Bon Marché, the city's main department store. In 1993, architect Bob Van Reeth was commissioned to give the Groenplaats a contemporary look. Especially on sunny days, this cozy, central square transforms into one large living room, where tourists, students, and old residents sit on the benches or around the Rubens statue.

padre jeannot