Statues of the Virgin Mary

Walking through Antwerp’s city center, you’ll see statues of Mary on facades, corners, and alleys everywhere. In Antwerp, Mary is not just a saint—she has been the city’s patroness since 1124. These statues are not random: they symbolize protection, faith, and community. Many are finely carved baroque works or simple folk sculptures, maintained by local neighborhood associations. Often there’s an oil lamp beside them, a sign that Mary watches over the street.

During the tumultuous 16th-century religious wars and under French rule, these images became symbols of resistance and hope. After 1814, their restoration was celebrated with candles, fireworks, and flowers. Today there are more than 150 statues, including around twenty protected monuments. For decades, volunteers from Voor Kruis en Beeld have cared for and restored them.