1. Antwerp - Brasschaat / Gilbert van Schoonbekepad

On foot from Antwerp to Veenendaal
Leg 1: Antwerp - Brasschaat

Of course, we do not go out until we have seen the places in Antwerp where Gilbert van Schoonbeke left his mark. You start your trip to Veenendaal on the 62 meter high viewing platform on top of the MAS, the Museum aan de Stroom. Not only because of the magnificent view over the city and the Scheldt. This place was mainly chosen as a starting point because here you have a view of the largest project that Gilbert van Schoonbeke realized in Antwerp. Here he built the new residential area Nieuwstad and three new inland ports. The route starts from the MAS over the Van Schoonbekeplein to the Waterhuis, later called Brouwershuis. Gilbert had devised an additional economic function in Nieuwstad: the establishment of 24 beer breweries, with a central Waterhuis to supply those breweries with good water. The route then takes us through the city center past the Stadswaag, the Vrijdagmarkt and the Graanmarkt, all projects of Gilbert. We will also visit Museum Het Maagdenhuis where a special Van Schoonbeke exhibition will be on display in 2019. Of course, the path also goes along the other, more famous highlights of Antwerp. Finally, in the city centre, we take a look at the Knechtjeshuis, originally an orphanage, founded by Johanna van Schoonbeke, Gilbert's sister. Then we leave the city in the direction of Merksem. Via the Fort of Merksem and the Peerdsbos we arrive in Brasschaat. This route ends there in front of the town hall.

Fastest connection by public transport between start and end point: Brasschaat, stop Dr. Roosensplein with bus 640 to Merksem, stop P+R Merksem, from there with tram 2 to Antwerp.