1. Sisters of the Poor Square

We walk through the beautiful pagoda gate into Chinatown and pass by the Permeke Library at De Coninckplein. On our right, at the height of Hollandstraat 21, we come across a gate. Step inside here. At the back lies the hidden Zusters-der-Armenplein.

"Here is community garden De Verborgen Kloostertuin, managed by a few local residents. It is a nice, green spot in Antwerp North. During the day, you can sit on a bench in the sun while your children play in the playground. In the evening, at 6 PM, the gate closes," says Guy.

"The square is named after the once-impressive Godshuis of the Zusterkes der Armen, which was demolished in 1988 for a complex of elderly and assisted living homes. The Kleine Zusters van de Armen is a French Catholic order that came to Antwerp in 1864 and left in the 1970s. They focused on care for the elderly and the poor."

GVA - Gazet van Antwerpen