MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom)

Opened in May 2011 to instant iconic status, Antwerp's nine-floor MAS – aka Museum Aan de Stroom (Museum on the River) – stands at 60 metres high in the city's increasingly trendy and redeveloped Eilandje docks area to the north. The fun but not universally adored toy-like red sandstone-and-glass structure, designed by Rotterdam-based architects Neutelings Riedijk, houses a collection of 470,000 objects, not all of them on show, dedicated to myriad aspects of the city's history and culture, with a certain attention to its once vital role as an international port. Includes a restaurant and impressive panoramic Antwerp views from on high. Located just a short and interesting walk north of the historic city centre, and within seconds of various gay landmarks. Closed Monday.