Along the frayed fault line between the city and port lies a raw and rusty area. For many Antwerp residents, this represents a blind spot on the map. However, this area oozes history linked to the once bustling in-city port.
The MAS manages the largest collection of historical vessels in the country. For years, it was displayed under the shelters next to Het Steen, but after a spectacular relocation operation, the vessels found a new home at the Dry Docks site.
Flanders possesses a magnificent collection of movable cultural heritage. With the 'Masterpieces Decree', the Flemish government wants to protect these unique cultural objects. Based on the decree, a list of rare and indispensable objects was compiled. Some of them are part of the MAS collection.
The ancient glass collection is one of the hidden gems at the MAS. It's part of a valuable glass collection numbering nearly 700 objects. For the first time the subcollection of ancient glass is published in a comprehensive catalogue.
The MAS collection grows every year. We look for new acquisitions ourselves, but also receive offers in the form of a donation or an inheritance. We also invite people to contribute actively to the MAS collection through appeals.
In the MAS pavilion, you can see where V-bombs fell on Antwerp and the scars they have left behind, by means of photographs, first-person testimonies and maps. You can even see a real V1-bomb from the MAS collection.
