Older Antwerpians still refer to Groenplaats as “Groen Kerkhof”, for that was its function until the Austrian occupiers abolished the practice of burying inside the city walls in the 18th century.

Since then it has become one of Antwerp’s most prominent squares where young and old enjoy the many café terraces and listen to street musicians.

A statue of Rubens dominates the centre of the square since 1843.