Below the city the secrets flow
The sewers, otherwise known as De Ruien, are a shadow of the rich history above ground. Sewers, streams and fortifications have crisscrossed Antwerp ever since the Middle Ages. This network of both natural and man-made waterways provided the city with water and an internal harbour.
When the sewers were turned into covered drains this unique piece of heritage disappeared both from view and from our memories.
You can now rediscover this hidden patrimony. The subterranean network of passages still gives us an idea of its rich and exciting past. A visit to De Ruien, with its old vaults, canals, bridges, sewers and drains reflects the historic city centre above you, with plenty of interesting facts and curious anecdotes from a distant and more recent past. We take you on a strange walk deep in the belly of Antwerp!
The City of Antwerp has entrusted the exploitation of the Ruien to WerkmMaat vzw, a social employment project and Zanzibar bvba, an Antwerp eventmarketing agency.
Both partners created a new elan, with investments in service, infrastructure and experience.
Wist je dat je De Ruien ook kan ontdekken per boot? 🌊
Daal af in de onderbuik van de stad en snuif de sfeer op van een klein stukje ondergronds Antwerpen. Onze bootsman begeleidt je veilig richting Schelde en terug! Ideaal voor wie niet veel tijd heeft en gezinnen met jonge kinderen (vanaf 3 jaar).
Reserveren kan niet: direct instappen is de boodschap!
De paasvakantie piept om de hoek 🐰 Het uitgelezen moment om met de kinderen De Ruien te ontdekken! Komen jullie ook?
Tickets & info: www.deruien.be
Dit weekend start de Ronde van Vlaanderen in Antwerpen. Heel de binnenstad zal ingenomen worden door wielergek Vlaanderen 🚲 Hierdoor zal de ingang van De Ruien aan de Suikerrui moeilijk bereikbaar zijn.
Vertrek dus tijdig en maak indien nodig gebruik van de Park & Rides buiten het centrum. De Ruien blijven uiteraard te voet bereikbaar via de Suikerrui, Meir en Nationalestraat. We hebben de gele loper alvast voor jullie uitgerold 🤪
📸 den Antwerpenaar
120minutes
Immerse yourself in a piece of Antwerp’s subterranean history
A professional guide will take you to the darkest corners of the underground water system. After a short boat trip the walk continues in the semi-darkness along covered streams, fortifications and drains. The vaults from the Middle Ages reveal their secrets at each step.
Group walks start at 10h15/13h30/14h30.
Night visits start at 17h/18h.
90minutes
Be amazed by the secrets of De Ruien
Get going and be guided by the facts and fables revealed by your tablet at each stop. Discover the rich history of this riverside city and meet its underground inhabitants.
The tours start at 11h/13h/15h.
15minutes
Take in the ambiance in
a small piece of
subterranean Antwerp
Disappear deep into the belly of the city and take in the ambiance in a small part of De Ruien. Climb aboard the little boat and don’t be shy to sail into the past. Take a peek at the dark side of Antwerp’s glorious history with your own eyes.
Reservations and tickets online
Guided group walk
Interactive trip with a tablet
Tickets at the box office
Interactive trip with a tablet*
Discovery trip by boat
Info
There are only 15 spots available for every walk and boat trip.
*To assure your place for the Interactive walk with a tablet, book online.
Questions? Call us on +32 (0)3 344 07 55 or send an e-mail to reservaties@deruien.be.
Ruihuis
Suikerrui 21
2000 Antwerp
De Ruien can be reached on foot, by bike (bike station at Steenplein), by public transport: tram 3, 4, 5, 9, 15 and bus N2, N32, 22, 180, 181, 182, 183 (get off at Groenplaats)
By car: parking Zuiderterras or Car Park at the Grote Markt – E. Van Dijckkaai 3, Antwerp
Beware: The Ruien are part of a low emission zone. Since 2017/02/01 all cars need to fulfil the conditions for admission to enter the city.
For more information go to : www.slimnaarantwerpen.be
Ruihuis
Suikerrui 21
2000 Antwerpen