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Small souvenirs of a great disaster

Memories of December 16, 1944

V-bombs hit Antwerp hard in the winter of 1944-45. The blast at Cinema Rex was the deadliest bomb strike in history. The City at War exhibition features a large V1 practice bomb, surrounded by small, personal souvenirs. They show how deeply the attacks affected the lives of residents.

A modern-day warehouse

In this impressive warehouse, all the museum rooms are stacked like boxes. Follow the Boulevard with its metres-high glass windows as it spirals upwards, and enjoy an incredible view of the city from every level.

The MAS lends its collection

We are happy to lend our collection to make it known to a wider audience, to encourage new research on the collection and to foster the connection with the heritage community.

City at war

Antwerp, 1940 - 1945

Military violence and mass persecution of Jews and dissenters during World War II broke the city. Personal stories and objects make this period very tangible in this new permanent MAS exhibition.

Painting by Van Bree on the list of Top Pieces

The painting 'Entry of Bonaparte, as First Consul, into Antwerp on 18th July 1803' by Mathieu Ignatius Van Bree was added to the list of Top Pieces by the Flemish Government. The large oil painting hangs in the Palace of Versailles, an identical work in a small format belongs to the MAS collection.

Loans

We are happy to lend the collection to make it known to a wider audience, to encourage new research on the collection and to foster the connection with the heritage community.

Harbour cranes

The MAS' largest and most impressive collection pieces can be seen on the Scheldt quays. And just in front of the MAS, you almost bump into the showpiece of our collection.

The story of the site

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.

Manned V1

Manned flying bomb at La Coupole, France

On June 12, 1945, American Brigadier General Clare H. Armstrong donated two V-bombs to Antwerp as a reminder of the bitter struggle: an intact V1 practice bomb and a slightly damaged manned flying bomb. This bomb, the ReIV, we loaned to the Musée La Coupole near Saint-Omer in northern France.

Float

From parade to museum

Thanks to intensive restoration, a large float was prepared for the exhibition 'Listen. Stories found in the city'. You can read about how the restoration of this piece was carried out and what choices were made here.