Constructed in: 1225
Typology: castle
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"Het Steen" is a medieval castle located on the right bank of the Scheldt River in #Antwerpen (Antwerpen), Belgium. Constructed between 1200 and 1225, it served as the gateway to the city's fortified castle and is Antwerp's oldest preserved building. The name "Het Steen," meaning "The Stone," was adopted around 1520 following renovations commissioned by Emperor Charles V. Over the centuries, Het Steen has fulfilled various roles, including functioning as a prison from 1303 to 1827. In the 19th century, significant portions of the original fortress were demolished to facilitate the straightening of the Scheldt's quays, leaving only a fraction of the original structure intact.
