The castle-like Butcher’s Hall reflects the prosperity of the 16th century butchers.  It was they who commissioned the building of this large meat hall.  Meat was sold to the public from stalls on the ground floor, it was the only place where meat could change hands.  The butcher’s guild had a chapel, a banqueting hall, a meeting room and a kitchen here. Today this guild- house is a museum of applied art, archaeology and local history.  It focuses on the building of harpsichords and retables (two of Antwerp’s most important artistic crafts), on the ceramic and glass industry and on the manufacture of art cabinets.  Concerts, particularly of early music are often held here. Rebuilding work in the city began a few decades ago.  The housing project around the Butcher’s hall is a marvellous example of this.The castle-like Butcher’s Hall reflects the prosperity of the 16th century butchers.  It was they who commissioned the building of this large meat hall.  Meat was sold to the public from stalls on the ground floor, it was the only place where meat could change hands.  The butcher’s guild had a chapel, a banqueting hall, a meeting room and a kitchen here. Today this guild- house is a museum of applied art, archaeology and local history.  It focuses on the building of harpsichords and retables (two of Antwerp’s most important artistic crafts), on the ceramic and glass industry and on the manufacture of art cabinets.  Concerts, particularly of early music are often held here. Rebuilding work in the city began a few decades ago.  The housing project around the Butcher’s hall is a marvellous example of this.