Heritage Day: Animals at the Port, from Horses to Elephants - The Phoebus Foundation

The Phoebus Foundation

Heritage Day: Animals at the Port, from Horses to Elephants

Parents and children can enjoy a unique visit to The Phoebus Foundation sub-collection of Maritime and Logistic Heritage this year. ‘Sparrow beaks’, ‘pig ears’, ‘crabs’, the transport of wild animals, the ‘nation’s horses’ and pests in the port are all illustrated and explained in great detail during a tour of more than 1200 pieces from the collection. Discover how humans and animals have worked together in the port for centuries through animal stories, talks on the human-animal relationship and delve deeper into the traditions surrounding animals during Heritage Day on the 23rd of April.

Discover how people and animals have been working side by side in the port for centuries, through animal stories and conversations about the human–animal bond, and take a closer look at the traditions surrounding animals during Erfgoeddag on 23 April.






Location – De Argentin, Pretstraat 1, 2060 Antwerp

Date – 23rd of April 2023 – 11:00 to 17:00

Historic harbour equipment and horse harnesses displayed on a brick wall in a heritage depot, including yokes, reins and working gear.
© The Phoebus Foundation
Transport of the dromedaries Egli and Essa on arrival in the port of Antwerp, surrounded by dock workers aboard a ship, historic black-and-white photograph.
Transport of dromedaries “Egli” and “Essa”, arrival at the Antwerp port © Beeldbank ZOO Antwerpen
Arrival of giraffes in the port of Antwerp, with the animals visible in wooden transport crates aboard a ship, historic black-and-white photograph.
Arrival of giraffes in the port of Antwerp © Beeldbank ZOO Antwerpen
Overview of historic port and logistics equipment in a warehouse, including weighing scales, sandbags, wooden shovels and measuring tools displayed against a brick wall.
© The Phoebus Foundation