A year after getting married to Isabella Brant, Peter Paul Rubens bought No. 9, and he remained there until his death in 1640. Making his residence to the left of the entryway and converting the right wing into his studio, he set up the property to suit his preferences and needs.

It was put to use as a prison following the French Revolution and deteriorated further after that. In 1937, the City of Antwerp finally acquired Rubens’ House (Rubenshuis), which was painstakingly rebuilt between 1939 and 1946 with the help of antiquated paperwork and plans.

The 10 rooms are decorated in period-appropriate furnishings and hold a sizable collection of works by Rubens and his contemporaries. Self-portrait by Anthony van Dyke, Adam and Eve, and The Annunciation, all by Rubens, as well as Peasant Drinking by Adriaen Brouwer, are a few works you shouldn’t miss. Several works by Rubens and others by his pupils can be found in the spacious studio.

Outside, the home’s formal grounds have undergone thorough restoration in an effort to faithfully recreate the garden that existed while Rubens lived there. After seeing the mansion, it’s a nice place for a stroll.