The MAS | Museum Aan de Stroom (Museum by the River) is a museum located along the river Scheldt in the Eilandje of Antwerp. It opened in May 2011 and has been part of the Antwerp skyline since then. The 60-meter lego-like structure MAS, is the largest museum in the city. It is an example of postmodern Art Deco architecture. The façade is made of Indian red sandstone containers stacked atop each other and curved glass panel construction. Its windows are waves as “Antwerp owes its existence and prosperity to the water,” after all Antwerp became the second biggest port in Europe.
This imposing ten-story building tells the story of the past, the present and the future of Antwerp and the world. On each floor, a part of the fascinating story will await you. The Port Floor lies between the four floors of the museum, just as the MAS lies between city and port.
The museum houses a collection of more than 500,000 objects. It is also home to excellent temporary exhibitions ranging from historical art to work by contemporary artists.
On the 9th floor you can enjoy an exclusive meal in the city’s highest dining spot, the Michelin starred restaurant “‘t Zilte” by Vikki Geunes. Even if you are not planning to visit the museum, you have a complimentary entrance to the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
In front of the Museum, you will find four pavilions: the Diamond Pavilion, the Port Pavilion, the Silver Pavilion and the MAS-shop which are definitely worth to visit.
The Eilandje is Antwerp’s oldest port area, the district has undergone massive reconstruction and has enjoyed a great revival in recent years.
The most dramatic change was the opening of the MAS, it transformed the forgotten harbor neighborhood into the most dynamic and hippest hotspot in Antwerp. Today the MAS is more than a museum, it’s a new city center where there is always something to see or do.
For additional information please visit: www.mas.be