Madonnas of Antwerp

They’re easy to miss at first glance, yet they’ve been watching over the city for centuries. Perched at the corner of two streets or tucked quietly into a façade, like the one just to your right, these small statues of the Virgin Mary are part of Antwerp’s urban soul. Today, about sixty remain, down from more than 260 in the 19th century. Some are brightly painted, others simple and unadorned, but each one tells a deeper story. These so-called "street Madonnas" reflect the strong devotion to Mary that took root in Antwerp as early as the 14th century. A devotion that, a few centuries later, would spark major tensions between Catholics and Protestants. For Catholics, Mary is a central figure, a compassionate intercessor between believers and heaven. Protestants, on the other hand, saw the Marian cult as unnecessary, even excessive. During the French occupation, these statues were at risk of being destroyed. Locals and religious brotherhoods hid them to keep them safe, until they were quietly returned to their niches around 1814. The one you see here is just one among many. So as you continue your walk, keep your eyes up: Antwerp’s Madonnas are everywhere, quietly watching over the streets.