Antwerp Central Station
Antwerp Central Railway Station is an important hub through which connections are established with other cities not only within the country, but also abroad. The exterior of the station is a special pride of the city, because it is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive railway stations in the whole world. The railway service is provided by the National Railway Company of Belgium.
General information
When most tourists arrive in the city, they get to Antwerp Central Railway Station, as it is the starting point for those who plan to get to know the largest city in Flanders better. The train station leaves only the most positive emotions for everyone. There used to be a small station on the site of the Antwerp Central Railway Station, but over time it became insufficient, and it was decided to build a new station for the needs of the city.
The construction took place in several stages, in 1898 a facility was built for unloading passengers and other goods, then the construction of the building began. Louis Delacenzery was appointed architect, and the local authorities liked his project more than others. By 1905, the station was ready. The Antwerp Central Railway Station existed in this form until the middle of the 20th century, gradually the walls and decorative elements were destroyed, which significantly complicated the operation of the railway. Another problem was the dead end of the building. Since demolition was impossible, it was decided to carry out a global reconstruction. From 1998 to 2009, various works were carried out, after which the station was able to fully function again.
Station Features
Stylistically, the entire structure of Antwerp Central Railway Station is most reminiscent of eclecticism, there is no strict reference to any particular direction, but there are vivid details from different styles. Most of the details are from the Gothic. Tall towers, spacious arches and numerous columns. The ceiling of the station is made up of numerous glass elements that run down some of the walls.
One of the sides of the station is almost entirely made of glass, and it looks very modern compared to the others. The interiors of Antwerp Central Railway Station make a strong impression. Despite their relative freshness, they all remind of the old days, look festive and even a little fabulous. There are many glass arches, columns and stained glass windows. Various sculptures also delight the guests of the city. It is worth visiting the station even for those who got to the city by another way, the spirit of the new age is concentrated here, which is intertwined with the history and traditions of antiquity, and it looks very interesting and unusual.
