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St Bavo, or Bavon, was a local 7th-century saint. The cathedral named after him dates back to the 10th century, but most of it is Gothic, built over three centuries after 1290. The dark Tournai stone creates a sombre interior, which is upstaged by the grandiose Baroque-Rococo pulpit of oak and marble (1741–5). The greatest treasure, however, is the multi-panelled, 15th-century altarpiece, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Hubrecht and Jan van Eyck (see The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb).

Of all the churches in Antwerp, the church of St James is noted for having the richest interior – and for being the burial place of Rubens. It was built in late Gothic style in the 15th and 16th centuries by architects who also worked on the cathedral. The church contains work by leading sculptors of the 17th century, such as Lucas Faydherbe, Artus Quellinus and Hendrik Verbruggen, as well as paintings by Rubens, Jordaens and Van Dyck.

St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, was patron saint of merchants, and this was the merchants’ church. Built in the 13th to 15th centuries, it is Belgium’s best example of the austere style called Scheldt Gothic.

The impressive town hall was the scene of some of the great landmarks in the city’s history. Inside is a series of council chambers, still in use today – some dating back to the 15th century, others refurbished during restoration after 1870.

Just south of the Burg is one of the prettiest stretches of canal, where calm waters reflect the medieval bridges and skyline. Here, the Steenhouwersdijk (stonemason’s embankment) becomes the Groenerei (green canal) and is flanked by a picturesque almshouse called De Pelikaan, dated 1714 and named after the symbol of Christian charity, the pelican.

This giant model of a metal molecule was built as Belgium’s exhibit at Brussels’ 1958 Universal Exposition.

Painter (1862–1926) who used Pointillism to develop a polished and distinctive style.

The innovative Art Nouveau architect credited with bringing the style to maturity (see Musée Horta, Brussels).

With its turrets and towers and Gothic detail, the “Meat House” is one of the most beautiful and curious buildings of Antwerp. Built in 1501–4 as the guildhouse of the butchers and a meat market, it has recently reopened as a museum of music. From street singers to concert hall, the Vleeshuis charts the history of the city through its many forms of musical expression, using historical instruments, including harpsichords made by the famous Ruckers family, manuscripts and a bell foundry.

Two of the city’s four remaining windmills – Sint-Janshuismolen and Koeleweimolen – are open to the public.