Vleeshuis- Butchers' Hall

The Butchers' Hall, the medieval guild of Antwerp

With about five centuries of existence, the Butchers' Hall, or Vleeshuis, is one of the oldest public buildings in Antwerp. This former hall of the butchers' guild, with the look of a small castle of brick and stone, tells the life of the medieval guilds. The Antwerp audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this witness of the city's corporate past.

The former butchers' hall

Until the French occupation at the end of the eighteenth century, the butchers of Antwerp gathered and sold their meat in this building, the Vleeshuis, literally the meat house. Built about five hundred years ago, it testifies to the power of the guilds in the merchant city. Converted into a museum, it now retraces centuries of history, music and Antwerp daily life.

What to see

The building, with its architecture of brick striped with pale stone, is a fine example of Antwerp's civil Gothic architecture. Now a museum, the Vleeshuis stages the history and sounds of the city, from music to dance. Note when planning a visit: the museum has had a period of closure for restoration, so it is best to check the opening status before coming.

Practical information

The Butchers' Hall lies in the historic centre of Antwerp, near the quays of the Scheldt, reachable on foot. Now a museum, it has undergone restoration works that may restrict access; before any visit, it is advisable to check the opening status, hours and conditions. The exterior can be freely admired, in its setting of old lanes.

What is the Butchers' Hall of Antwerp?

It is the Vleeshuis, the former hall of the butchers' guild, one of the oldest public buildings in Antwerp, now converted into a museum.

Can the Butchers' Hall be visited?

Now a museum, it has undergone restoration works that may restrict access; it is best to check the opening status and hours before coming.