Those who came to Antwerp by train will not have to go far beyond the sights, since the first of them is waiting on the platform. This is the Antwerpen Centraal Central Railway Station, which, according to the American magazine Newsweek, was recognized in 2009 as the fourth most beautiful railway station in the world. Which is not surprising, for the inhabitants of Antwerp even call this landmark a Gothic "railway cathedral."

In connection with the opening of the railway line Antwerp-Mechelen, the first station building was built here in 1836. The design was made of wood, as well as the following - 20 years later. The modern same stone station was built in 1899 for six years under the guidance of architect Louis Delacenseri

The imposing building of Antwerp Central Railway Station was executed in an eclectic style, with a dome 75 meters high and eight Gothic towers six of them were dismantled in the middle of the 20th century). During the reconstruction in 2009, the towers were restored, as did the lion statue.

The 20th century was a sad time for such a luxurious building, it literally fell into decay. Since the 1950s, gradual and catastrophic destruction began with several facts of the collapse of stone slabs and a landing stage. Therefore, in order to preserve and restore, the station building was declared an architectural monument

Antwerp Railway Station

Inside the Antwerp Railway Station

Debarkader, Antwerp Railway Station