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Visit to Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library
March 24, 2018 @ 10:00 am
Behind the Scenes at the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library
Hendrik Conscienceplein 4, Antwerp
Built in 1481, the Conscience Library spans more than five centuries of Antwerp and Flemish history. Today it contains more than 1.5 million volumes, including 40,000 books dating from before 1830. And its Nottebohm Room is a stunning tribute to what a library should be.
Known simply as the City Library prior to 2008, today the library bears the name of Hendrik Conscience, (born 1812, Antwerp—died 1883, Elsene). As a romantic novelist, Conscience so dominated the birth and development of the Flemish novel that it is said he “taught his people to read.”
What: 90 minute guided tour in English
Where: Hendrik Conscienceplein 4, Antwerp. Meet inside the library.
Time: Tour begins at 10:00 AM. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time.
Cost: Members €10; guests €15.
To register: Please sign up with Kathryn Passmore or Sue Van Looy, by Wednesday March 14th, providing the attendees’ names.
Then transfer the appropriate amount to the ABIW account, mentioning your name(s) and “Conscience Library”. The deadline for both registering and payment is Wednesday March 14th. Receipt of payment confirms your booking.
Note: Group size is limited to just 15 participants. An elevator is available inside the library, if needed.
Getting there: The library, located at Hendrik Conscienceplein 4, is next door to Saint Carolus Borromeus Church.
From Central Station, from the tram stop at platform 3 in front of the Astrid Plaza hotel, take Tram 24 toward Melkmarkt. Get off at Melkmarkt and walk along Korte Nieuwstraat, turn right into Sint-Pieter-en-Paulusstraat. Turn right onto Jezuietenrui and walk through the archway to the front door of the library. Total traveling time is about 7 minutes, including a 2 minute walk from the tram to the library.
From Groenplaats, walk on Groenplaats with the Hilton to your right towards Eiermarkt. Cross Eiermarkt and turn right into Sint-Pieterstraat. Turn left onto Melkmarkt, then turn right into Jezuïetenrui and go straight on to the library. Total walking time is about 4 minutes.
Sign-up beginning of March on publication of the March Grapevine.