The freeing of the Scheldt was a landmark event in Flemish history. In mid-1863, Antwerp celebrated that after more than 250 years, merchant shipping on the Scheldt was truly free again. A telling painting of this ‘Scheldt Free!’ celebration from the MAS collection can be seen in our Visible Storage.
CLOSED - "The corner shop" highlighted the colourful history of Antwerp's shops and shopkeepers in the MAS boulevard. MAS asked photographer Sanne De Wilde to find out more about the people who run local shops in the city today. The result was a colourful and diverse portrait series. Combined with old photos, the exhibition showed the human face behind the corner shops of the city since the Fifties.
CLOSED | Celebration! invited you to celebrate the moments of transition in life. A mix of festive objects, in an colourful arrangement with a unique soundtrack.
The Antwerp Hand biscuits are the most well-known tourist souvenir from the city. In the MAS collection, we find many packagings of the biscuits. However, behind the scenes of the little biscuit, there is more than one story to tell.
"Freight" is the story of a port in the long history of globalisation. From the Vikings to today. A story about glorious periods and extraordinary encounters, but also about the downsides of economic growth.
Portopolis, the interactive visitor center about the Port of Antwerp located at the MAS, closed its doors on April 19, 2026. In December 2026, Havenwereld - an innovative experience center on the Droogdokken site - will open. It will build on the strengths of Portopolis, with an added focus on experience, current events, and education.
Pierre-Yves Kairis (b. 1958) is a doctor of art history at the Université de Liège. He was closely involved in the restoration of “The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine,” a painting by Michaelina Wautier.
In 'Freight' you stop at various 'docks', each of which reveals a different part of the city's connection with world trade. A journey through the history of the port city. On view on the 6th floor.
In this brochure, the MAS looks back on the process of MAS in Young Hands and shares all its experiences. A complete overview of its know-how is available online and free of charge.
