Sint-James' Church

Make some room, cathedral of Antwerp, for here is the famous, monumental Sint-Jacob! This church, built between 1491 and 1656, is home to a harmonious synthesis of a gothic building style and baroque-style furniture. The bourgeoisie, the merchants and the nobility of Antwerp wanted to show off their wealth by building a tower higher than the cathedral, but the project proved too ambitious: after 55 metres (not even half the height of its antagonist) the money ran out. The church is worth the visit, though, because of its richly decorated interior. And there's yet another small but important detail: the grave of Peter Paul Rubens, decorated with a tableau by the great painter himself.