Antwerpen

Visit of HERITA (the Flemish National Trust) and end-of-year reception

On 6 December, we will be welcomed by HERITA, an organisation whose ambition is to grow into a National Trust for Flanders. Its basic aim is the preservation and management of heritage sites in Flanders.

HERITA is a rather young organization and, unlike the National Trust, can’t boast (yet) of a long and proud tradition, but in recent years it has grown in strength and is active in a increasing number of locations.

HERITA’s headquarters is situated close to the Grote Markt in Antwerp and houses in a beautiful building, De Hofkamer, an 18th century showroom in rococo style.

An unknown architect renovated the former Den Wolsack Huis (Woolsack House) into the palace as we know it today, with its stunning reception hall, which was aimed at reflecting the wealth, luxury and prestige of the previous owners, wool traders, whence the name of the house.

A gigantic painting hangs from the ceiling and opens the space to a radiant sky. The canvas depicts the residents of Mount Olympus, the impetuous Greek gods. Over the centuries, various restorers have made the work more chaste, but since 2016 you can admire the gods on Mount Olympus in their full original glory again.

HERITA liaises with other National Trusts worldwide, including the National Trust UK, and as such is part of an international community (INTO) which manages properties and monuments in the public interest.

OUR PROGRAMME

– 13.15: we all try to arrive by 13.15 at Den Wolsack Huis, Oude Beurs 27, Antwerp (5 min. walk from the Grote Markt)

– 13.30 – 14.30:

– after welcoming us, Mr. Matthias Francken, Herita’s General Director, will give a talk about Herita, its mission and    history, its current and future projects.

– this will be followed by a Q&A session

– 14.30 – 16.00: visit of De Hofkamer, with two guides (one EN, one NL)

– 16.00 – 18.00: end-of-year reception within the Herita premises, in the presence of Mr. Francken and other Herita staff

– 18.00: end of our NTAB visit

After the reception, those of us interested in a meal in a nice Antwerp restaurant could spend the rest of the evening in De Bomma (‘The grandma’), Willem Ogierplaats, opposite Het Steen and a 10 min. walk from Herita.

This evening dinner would not be included in our NTAB programme of the day and would be paid for by those participating.

HOW TO GET THERE

By car

The most convenient car parks are the Groenplaats parking (Groenplaats 46), close to de Grote Markt, and the Grote Markt parking (Ernest Van Dijckkaai 3)

By public transport

For those coming by train, take the metro at Opera station (close to Central Station) to Groenplaats