I transited at Antwerpen-Centraal train station on my way from Amsterdam to Ghent in January. I’d read that it was considered the most beautiful train station in the world, as awarded by Mashable in 2014. Naturally, I was curious and was gobsmacked at its beauty. Unfortunately, I didn’t leave the station to photograph the exterior, but I did walk around a bit and took a few pics.
©2018 Regina Martins
Considered for demolition at one stage, it has been beautifully restored since ©2018 Regina Martins
The central clock is a popular subject to photograph as passengers come up the escalators from the lower levels ©2018 Regina Martins
It was seriously damaged during World War 2 by the impact of V2 bombs ©2018 Regina Martins
The height of train hall, originally made of steel, was needed to accommodate steam locomotives ©2018 Regina Martins
The vast dome above the waiting hall was designed by Louis Delacenserie ©2018 Regina Martins
The extraordinary eclecticism of the influences on Delacenserie’s design had led to a difficulty in assigning it to a particular architectural style ©2018 Regina Martins
The original station building was built between 1895 and 1905 ©2018 Regina Martins
The 4 levels of Antwerpen-Centraal train station ©2018 Regina Martins
References:
Wikipedia, Antwerpen-Centraal railway station, accessed April 2, 2018
Indeed, that is beautiful. I love the way Europe has such intricate architecture.
I love the mix of different styles, inevitable due to the historical influences.
I love the train station in Haarlem too.
I’ve just seen pics on the internet. It is beautiful. I think I need to focus my European trips just to visit train stations. And it will satisfy my love of travelling by train 🙂
My sister didnt have transport for her first three years in the Netherlands, so we travelled by train whenever I visited.
That’s must’ve been so cool 🙂
(speaking from the point of view of a train-starved South African…)
It was really neat. It felt like I got to see a side of the country few tourists get to see. When she travels to France she takes the train.