They guard, collect, restore or cherish the past. Meet the people who keep heritage alive in the port area.
A ‘little castle’ at the centre of the construction site
In the middle of the Royers Lock construction pit stands a charming little “castle”: the lock keeper’s house. The 1902 building served as the residence of the lock keeper, the director of the lock. A prestigious role. Hence the house’s castle-like appearance.
Renovations will begin next year. Inside, there will be a nautical command centre of sorts.
Sigrid Fruytier,heritage project manager
Renovation with respect for the past
The building is a listed monument. As the Royers Lock is rebuilt, it is being supported by a network of beams and anchors. Renovations will begin next year. Inside, there will be a nautical command centre of sorts. We are restoring the valuable historical elements, including the stairs and floors.
Unfortunately, the lock keeper’s house is not open to visitors, but you can enjoy a splendid view of this unique building from the observation tower beside the shipyard.
Pop in on Open Monument Day!
No fewer than 800 monuments will open their doors on Sunday, 14 September, for the 37th Open Monument Day. Port House De Caese in Bruges, the Port House in Antwerp, floating crane 9, the seventies tugboat, the Westhinder lightship, the wooden minesweeper Oudenaarde, the Oosterweel Church and the church tower of Wilmarsdonk can be visited free of charge on that day.
Port House De Caese: where history comes alive
Port House De Caese was one of my first projects at Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The aim was to restore and reoccupy the 18th-century Rococo-style city palace in Bruges. Since then, the house has held a special place in my heart.
Everyone who enters is sure to be impressed.
Lieve Lameire,events & hospitality assistant
Meetings in style
De Caese was built in 1765 as the official residence of the treasurer of the Brugse Vrije (Liberty of Bruges). With a Rococo façade at the front and a Classicist rear façade opening onto the canals, it is a truly unique building. Over the years, the building has served a variety of purposes. Today, it serves as a reception location for Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Other organisations and companies can also hire Port House De Caese for meetings, receptions, or dinners.
Journey back in time
The city palace was renovated, yet the original interior has been fully preserved. Strolling through the rooms, you are transported to another era. The fabrics, the furniture... everything exudes history. My favourite places in the house are the living room and the terrace overlooking the canals – unique in Bruges. Everyone who enters is sure to be impressed.
Maritime heritage that stands the test of time
The MAS holds an extensive collection of maritime heritage, including models, photographs, and paintings, but the most impressive pieces are the actual vessels. For example, the collection includes a tug from the 1970s and a school barge used for student trips.
What fascinates me most is the story behind the crane.
Waander Devillé,curator of the maritime collection
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
Floating Crane 9 transports you back to the 1950s
The highlight is Floating Crane 9, a 1950s floating crane used to transship goods between ships. What fascinates me most is the story behind it. Why was steam still chosen when the diesel crane already existed? A pontoon with a crane that you can walk around on truly takes you back into the history of technology. More so than any piece in a museum gallery.
Oosterweel lives on through the church
The polder village of Oosterweel has now vanished, but a beautiful remnant remains: the church. Its history dates back to the 13th century. Today, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is restoring the building. As an archaeologist, I help oversee the excavations. It would be wonderful if we were to find the foundations of the original medieval chapel in the process.
It would be amazing to come across medieval foundations.
Veerle Hendriks,archaeologist
Stad Antwerpen
Rich in history, poised for the future
After the renovation, the church will be repurposed as an information point for the Oosterweel Link. You will also discover more about the history of the site. Lantis opens the doors of the church on Open Monument Day. Feel free to step inside a place hidden from view for years, set to reopen in 2026.
A shed full of stories from the region
My passion for old objects dates back to my childhood. As a child, I often played on the construction site of the Kennedy Tunnel. I even found shark tooth fossils there. Later, during low tide, I visited Lillo and Kallo to hunt for old objects. I even found beer bottles from Hamburg, possibly brought by German ships calling at Antwerp. One of my best finds was a bowl with the Red Star Line logo.
My collection tells the story of this region.
Benjamin Vergauwen,archaeologist and owner
PolderMAS
Collecting with care for heritage and the natural world
Over the years, my collection grew and valuable pieces were added, such as prehistoric pieces of flint. I had to search for a space to accommodate them. This is how PolderMAS came into being, in a shed in the Waasland region. My collection tells the story of this region. We honour the past, but also look to the future. My wife Katrien and I are both nature lovers. We therefore support the revitalisation of the natural surroundings of the Hedwige Polder.
