Raamtheater
Long before it became known as the Raamtheater, this remarkable building served as Antwerp's Higher School of Commerce during the flourishing trading era in the 19th century. At a time when Antwerp was strengthening its position as an international port, students were educated here for careers in global trade and business.
A place where languages came together
As Antwerp continued to strengthen its international position, the building entered a new chapter as the city's renowned School of Translators and Interpreters. For decades, students from around the world filled its classrooms, preparing for careers that bridged cultures, languages and borders.
Reminders of that history are still hidden throughout the building. We discovered a large collection of original classroom keys, each carefully labelled with a different language, a tangible reminder of the countless lessons, conversations and ambitions that once filled these halls.
At the heart of the building lies its magnificent auditorium, where generations of students gathered for lectures, ceremonies and debates.
Where the World Arrived
The building's most impressive space, the grand hall along De Vrièrestraat, was originally built as a warehouse and showroom, where goods from around the world were displayed, reflecting Antwerp's role as an international trading hub.
Later, the space entered a new chapter as the home of the Raamtheater, welcoming audiences to performances of renowned playwrights, including William Shakespeare.
