Vleeshuis

Vleeshuis is a former guildhall in Antwerp, Belgium, now functioning as a museum. The building stands in the historic city centre, between the streets Drie Hespenstraat, Repenstraat and Vleeshouwersstraat — the arrangement of these three streets still marks the immediate surroundings of the site.

Where exactly is Vleeshuis located?

The building sits in the eastern part of Antwerp's old town, at the junction of the three streets named above. Its geographic coordinates are 51.22271, 4.39917. Right next to it, at the point where Drie Hespenstraat meets the Burchtgracht moat, lies a slope historically known as the Bloedberg, or Blood Mountain.

Where does the name Bloedberg come from?

Historical sources note that the slope where Drie Hespenstraat meets the Burchtgracht carried the name Bloedberg (Blood Mountain). This spot borders directly on the grounds where Vleeshuis now stands, tying the former guildhall to this part of the city's topography.

What was Vleeshuis originally?

The building served as a guildhall — a hall built for and used by an organized trade guild active in Antwerp. Its name, Vleeshuis (literally "meat house"), points to a connection with the butchers' guild, a link reinforced by its location on Vleeshouwersstraat, the "street of the butchers."

What is Vleeshuis today?

The building now houses a museum. Its function has shifted from a working guild headquarters to a cultural institution open to visitors during set opening hours.

What are the opening hours?

The museum is open Thursday through Sunday and on public holidays, from 10:00 to 17:00. It is closed on January 1, May 1, November 1 and December 25. There are exceptions tied to the Easter calendar: the site is closed on the 39th day after Easter, while it operates on regular hours of 10:00–17:00 on Easter Monday and on the 50th day after Easter.

How can visitors contact Vleeshuis?

The site can be reached by phone at +32 3 292 61 00, a number that connects directly to the museum's administration.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vleeshuis a historic building or a modern one? It is a historic guildhall, originally tied to Antwerp's butchers' guild, now adapted for museum use.

Which streets border the building? Drie Hespenstraat, Repenstraat and Vleeshouwersstraat, right in the centre of Antwerp.

Is the museum open every day? No — standard hours run Thursday to Sunday plus public holidays, 10:00 to 17:00, with closures on a handful of specific dates each year.

What does the name Bloedberg refer to in the area? It is the historical name of the slope where Drie Hespenstraat meets the Burchtgracht moat, adjoining the grounds of Vleeshuis.