The City of Antwerp and its partners within De Grote Verbinding began in April 2026 with the construction on the first phase of the Merksemse Tuinen or Merksem Gardens, a new park area forming part of Ringpark Groenendaal in the north-west of the district. The works are expected to take around a year.
Tag: Merksem
City of Antwerp marks 25 years of district governance with city-wide anniversary programme
The City of Antwerp is marking the 25th anniversary of its district system with a year-long programme of activities highlighting the identity of each district and their connections within the city. Since 2001, the city’s districts have had their own elected administrations. With the addition of Borsbeek as the tenth district in 2025, Antwerp currently…
11 NOVEMBER 2025 | Armistice Day activities and Antwerp museums open
As Armistice Day approaches, Antwerp will once again mark 11 November with a full programme of remembrance ceremonies across its districts. The commemorations, held in honour of all victims of war, will be accompanied by a series of cultural openings and events, with the city’s museums and heritage institutions remaining accessible to the public throughout…
City of Antwerp opens ‘Garden of Consolation’ at Silsburg Cemetery
The City of Antwerp opened in September 2025 the Garden of Consolation at Silsburg Cemetery. Here, comfort, nature and sustainability come together in a new ecological burial form. This is the first place in Antwerp where mosaic burial is offered.
ANTWERP | Better storage of old documents and better service in Central Archives
Since Monday 17 February 2025, the non-public archives, which were previously spread across various districts of Antwerp, are being managed in the Central Archives in Merksem. The archive collects no less than 2.5 million paper personal records and 185 linear metres of population registers and civil status books.
ANTWERP | ‘White Ravens of the Resistance’: stories of foreign-born resistance fighters during WWII
The City of Antwerp is marking the anniversary of its liberation with a new project that highlights little-known stories of resistance fighters of foreign origin. The travelling exhibition ‘White Ravens of the Resistance‘ (‘Witte raven van ‘t verzet‘) and an accompanying publication will bring to life the experiences of these men and women during World…
Antwerp launches Rainbow Routes in lead-up to Antwerp Pride 2025
The 18th edition (since 2008) of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025 in Antwerp. This year’s theme is “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit”. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2025 edition, the organising committee focuses on belonging. Belonging…
ANTWERP | Bunkers found during excavation works Vrijdagmarkt
During excavation works for the redevelopment of the Vrijdagmarkt in Antwerp, archaeologists found two underground bunkers from the Cold War. They date from 1955-56 and could serve as shelters in the event of nuclear disasters or bombings.
ANTWERP | Approval of final design phase 1 Merksemse Tuinen of Ringpark Groenendaal
The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved the final design for phase 1 of the Merksemse Tuinen or Merksem Gardens of Ringpark Groenendaal – you guessed it – Merksem . As with Ringpark Het Schijn, construction can start earlier here too, namely in the autumn of 2025.
Which flags get to fly at Antwerp City Hall?
Today is the National Holiday of Belgium. On 21 July 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha took the constitutional oath to become King of the Belgians. But I want to look at something else.