Right in the heart of the Antwerp fashion district is the ModeMuseum, also known as MoMu. Whilst the museum manages a collection of more than 25,000 objects (including garments and shoes) that are not accessible to the public, it does organize alternating exhibitions on specific themes: designer, fashion house or any other fashion-related topic.

In the late 1800s, a passionate collector Fritz Mayer van den Bergh amassed an amazing art collection. He purchased paintings by Peter Brueghel for a pittance, and managed to beat major museums purchasing stunning medieval sculptures. Mayer van den Bergh had an eye for the best quality in almost every genre. After his death, his mother finally managed to make her son’s dream come true: she built a museum, which showcased his collection. Today, the museum stands largely uncharged: it is still a museum of one man... and his mother. Highly recommended in the Great smaller museums of Europe.

Near the river Scheldt, you find Saint Paul’s Church, the former Dominican church completed in 1639. Masterpieces by the likes of Jordaens, Rubens, Van Balen and Van Dyck emphasise the church’s unique appeal.