The Brabo Fountain is a bronze and stone sculpture-fountain in the Grote Markt, Antwerp‘s main square, directly in front of the City Hall. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. The fountain’s stone rock base was restored by the city’s heritage agency in 2023, and no further closures are reported at the time of writing.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Always open (outdoor public square) |
| Ticket prices | Free; no tickets required |
| Address | Grote Markt, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium |
| Nearest transport | Groenplaats premetro station (trams 3, 5, 9 and 15), about a 3-minute walk |
| Typical time needed | 15 to 20 minutes |
The Brabo Fountain opening hours
The Brabo Fountain stands in an open public square with no gates or fences, so it is accessible at all times, day or night.
Lighting after dark comes from the surrounding square and shopfronts, since the fountain has no separately published floodlighting schedule.
Five great things to do in Antwerp
- 🍺 Taste fantastic local beers – on an Antwerp brewing heritage tour.
- 🌙 Enjoy an evening walking tour – and discover Antwerp’s dark side.
- 🚢 See the ships industry and sights in Europe’s second-biggest port – on a harbour cruise.
- 🚲 Take a bike tour – and cover more of Antwerp’s highlights.
- 📖 Learn Antwerp’s best stories and legends – on a walking tour.
The Brabo Fountain ticket prices
There is no admission fee. The fountain and the whole of the Grote Markt are free to visit at any time.
The fountain is not included in any city pass, since it is a public monument rather than a ticketed attraction. The nearby Antwerp City Pass instead covers paid sights such as Het Steen‘s Antwerp Story, the MAS museum, and several of Antwerp’s historic churches.
Access and background information were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
How to get to the Brabo Fountain
The Grote Markt sits in the heart of Antwerp’s historic centre, a short walk from most central hotels. From Antwerpen-Centraal railway station, take tram 9 or 15 to Groenplaats, then walk about 3 minutes north.
The Melkmarkt tram stop, also served by trams 9 and 15, is a similar distance from the square. On foot, it is about a 5-minute walk from Het Steen and the Scheldt riverfront.
Parking near the Brabo Fountain
The Grote Markt itself is a pedestrian square with no on-street parking. The nearest public car parks are Meir, Sint-Katelijnevest, and Groenplaats, all within a 5 to 10-minute walk.
Driving into Antwerp’s historic centre is generally discouraged, since much of it falls within a low-emission and largely pedestrianised zone.
How long to spend at the Brabo Fountain
Most visitors need 15 to 20 minutes to view the fountain and read about its legend, often alongside a longer stop to see the surrounding Grote Markt.
Allow extra time if you plan to visit the City Hall or the guild houses that line the square.
Accessibility at the Brabo Fountain
The Grote Markt is paved with uneven cobblestones, which can be a challenge for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Visitors seeking a smoother route can keep to the right-hand side of the square when approaching from Het Steen, heading towards the Cathedral of Our Lady instead.
Inside the Brabo Fountain: what to see
The fountain depicts the Roman soldier Silvius Brabo throwing the severed hand of the giant Druon Antigoon into the river Scheldt, the legend said to explain the origin of Antwerp’s name.
Sculpted by Jef Lambeaux and inaugurated in 1887, the bronze figure stands atop a rock-like pedestal decorated with sea creatures, including a fish, a sea lion, a turtle, and dragon-like monsters.
Three mermaids near the base support a small ship topped with a castle, representing Antwerp’s coat of arms. The giant’s severed head lies at Brabo’s feet, while his body is shown below on the rocks.
The fountain stands directly in front of Antwerp City Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the 16th-century guild houses forming the rest of the square.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit early morning or early evening for softer light and smaller crowds around the fountain. |
| Combine your visit with a look inside the City Hall, when it is open to the public. |
| Wear flat, comfortable shoes, since the square is paved with uneven cobblestones. |
| Try the local chocolate “Antwerp hands”, a treat inspired directly by the fountain’s legend. |
| Check for market stalls or events, since the Grote Markt occasionally hosts markets that surround the fountain. |
Frequently asked questions about the Brabo Fountain
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Brabo Fountain suitable for children? | Yes, the dramatic legend and bronze figures generally appeal to children. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, there is no ticket or booking system, since entry is free at all times. |
| Is the fountain open on Sundays? | Yes, the square and fountain are always accessible, including Sundays. |
| Is the Grote Markt wheelchair accessible? | Partly; the cobblestones can be difficult, though a smoother route runs along one side. |
| Does the fountain still work? | Yes, it operates as a working fountain, though flow may pause occasionally for maintenance. |
Things to do near the Brabo Fountain
Antwerp City Hall, a Renaissance building and UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands directly behind the fountain. The Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium’s largest Gothic cathedral, is a short walk to the east.
Het Steen, Antwerp’s medieval riverside fortress and visitor centre, is about a 5-minute walk towards the Scheldt. The statue of Nello and Patrasche, inspired by the novel “A Dog of Flanders”, stands near the cathedral.
The Vleeshuis, a striped Gothic guildhall now used for exhibitions, is a few minutes’ walk to the north.
Alternative attractions
Manneken Pis, Brussels’ famous bronze fountain-statue of a boy, is about 50 minutes away by car and forms the best-known comparison to Brabo. Nearby, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis complete Brussels’ trio of quirky statues, both within a short walk of Manneken Pis.
Fons Sapientiae, known locally as “Fonske”, is a fountain-statue in Leuven, about 50 minutes away, depicting a student pouring wisdom, or perhaps beer, into his own head.
More Belgium travel
Other Belgium travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Antwerp attraction guides: The Plantin-Moretus Museum, Red Star Line Museum, MAS and Antwerp Cathedral.
- How to spend the perfect weekend in Antwerp.
- Ghent attraction guides: The Ghent Belfry, Gravensteen, St Bavo’s Cathedral and Ghent’s Museum of Fine Art.
- Plan your visit to the Bastogne War Museum.
- Everything you need to know before visiting the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres.
