Save up to $677 on our trips! Book now and secure your adventure!

A Brief History Of Antwerp Central Station

| Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Its architectural style is undefined, as the structure seamlessly knits together materials of the past and the present. Antwerp Central, a regular on lists naming the world’s most beautiful railway stations, is the eclectic reminder of a tiny nation’s innovate part in the early railway industry.
Making the morning commute a whole lot more bearable for those lucky enough to work in Antwerp, ‘Antwerpen Centraal’ – or ‘de Middenstatie,’ as the locals call it – was erected during Belgium’s railway heydays. The small country had proudly become the first nation on the European continent to open a public railway in 1835, a mere five years after becoming independent. The Antwerp terminus had played a key role in the very first track, and over a ten-year period, between 1895 and 1905, the original wooden edition was replaced with one meant to symbolize Belgium’s pioneering role in the industry.

Antwerp Central Station

The project was envisioned as a grand affair – we find ourselves in the Belle Époque and the reigning age of ‘Builder King’ Leopold II, after all – with a coming together of great architectural minds. Louis Delacenserie, the Bruges city architect and noted imitator of historical medieval styles, took the reigns to design the stone-clad terminus in which the ticket hall still resides today. Though its outlook can roughly be described as Neo-Rennaissance and certainly recalls Antwerp in its 16th-century prime and even the ancient Roman Pantheon, certain elements give the game away, not in the least the Art Nouveau flourishes added to the façades. The waiting room hall, with its marble floors and awesome dome, is sometimes used to host events and concerts. Another important contribution was made by local Antwerp architect Jan Van Asperen, who was responsible for the viaduct leading into the station.
The man in charge of giving the terminus its signature steel platform roof was engineer Clement van Bogaert, who had worked his way up to Chief Engineer of the State Railways and knighthood before the end of the project. World War II bombs would wreak havoc on the iron and glass train shed, warping the construction so much that even after restoration, a certain bend in the roof is still discernible. The post-war renovation was also when the steel beams got their signature burgundy color. After another thorough, nine-year renovation and expansion that lasted until 2009, Antwerp Central Station now counts four levels, including two underground. The team behind the updated model was praised for creating a spacious feel and preserving its original features, even highlighting some historic elements that are now more visible than ever.

Is Antwerp Central Station worth visiting?

Train Station

Impressive interiors of Antwerp Central Station in Belgium
Jonas Jaeken / Unsplash
Most people wouldn’t ordinarily set foot inside a train station without having a train to catch. There are some exceptions, however, from the azulejo tiles adorning São Bento Station in Porto to the Harry Potter legacy of Kings Cross in London. Antwerp Central Station should absolutely be included on that list. Even if you aren’t passing through as a commuter, you should without doubt check out the inside and outside of the so-called Spoorwegkathedraal (Railway Cathedral).

Many visitors to Antwerp do pass through the station, thanks to its easy access to several desirable destination across west-central Europe. As well as the most beautiful towns and cities in Belgium, the station has direct access to Paris, Amsterdam and Rotterdam via the Eurostar. There are no direct trains from London, but a simple 30-minute regional train to/from Brussel Midi Station connects Antwerp to the UK capital.

If you haven’t got a train to catch, be sure to explore the station at your own pace. As one of the city’s most noteworthy landmarks, the station also features on most walking tours of the city. The guidance of a local expert will help you learn more about the architectural nuances and historical tales surrounding a building that represents the beating heart of Antwerp.
If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad