Central Station - Astridplein - Diamonds, Antwerp

The Antwerpen Central Railway Station, or in Flemish "Antwerpen Centraal Station", is located in the Diamond District, which means that the Central Station is not quite centrally located, and it's definitely not the Center of the World - that title has been reserved for Perpignan's Central Railway Station. Now this may sound a little disappointing to the traveler who made a special effort to arrive in Antwerpen by train. You'll be in for a big surprise. Antwerpen's Central Railway Station is unique! It's the only train station that looks like a cathedral - not so much from the outside but more so from the inside. I think it may have been Antwerpen's original cathedral before it relocated to Groenplats (Green Square). So what was left of it has been turned into a railway station that became the Central Railway Station. It sure is impressively philosophical. It gives you an almost religious feeling that life is a journey and that you'd better not miss your train.

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Central Station is Antwerp's main railway station and is operated by NMBS(National Railway Company).The original building was constructed between 1895 and 1905 as a replacement for the original terminus of the Brussels -Mechelen-Antwerp Railway.The stone clad terminus building,with a vast dome above the waiting room hall were designed by 'Louis Delacenserie' and the vast (185 metres long and 44 metres high) iron and glass trainshed by 'Clement van Bogaert'.The viaduct into the station is also a notable structure designed by local architect 'Jan Van Asperen'.The station is finely regarded as the finest example of railway architecture in Belgium.In 2009 American magazine 'Newsweek' judged Antwerp- Central the World's fourth greatest train station.

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The Antwerp Centraal train station was our first impression of the city – and what an impression it made! From the moment we disembarked our train, we noticed the beautifully grand station with its neo-Classical styling and the gold lettering “ANTWERPEN” high above the door frames. It gave one the feeling of being in another era of days gone by. We descended the staircase into the main lobby and admired the architecture of the columns, the domed ceiling, the marble, and the gilded touches. It was simply beautiful. After our day in Antwerp, we returned to the station and admired it once more before getting on our train back to Brussels.

The station was built in the late 1800s/early 1900s and was designed by an architect from Bruges. Even if you are not traveling by train, it is worth stopping in and having a look around. There are also public bathrooms and some shops to tempt you into the station.

When you decide to visit Antwerp by train you are in for a treat on arrival. The station hall is a great building dating from 1905. It is a beautiful example of station architecture for this time. Upon arrival there is an almost majestic feel about this building. I think it is a fabulous introduction to Antwerp.

The vast majority of people who visit Antwerp arrive at the Central train station... modern and state of the art station with all the needs for travelers !!! Just be aware of your surroundings, this place is made for pickpockets !!! Otherwise at great place to see people !!!!

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Located on "Astridplein" in Antwerp you find the historical entrance of Antwerp's central station. This station is very special because of the eclectic building style. This style is a combination of historical treasures and modern elements. The trains enter and leave the station on three floors. The present meets the past via a steel roofing that covers the platforms. The roofing is 186m long and 43m high. This is the most interesting train station I have ever seen.

Link:
http://filipdemuinck-kristelpardon.blogspot.com/2010/01/central-station-antwerp-centraal.html

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One of the grandest buildings in Antwerp is the 'Central Station'. It welcomes visitors who arrive by train in Antwerp like a modern day cathedral. The part of the station where the platforms are is covered by an immense metal and glass dome (typical for turn-of-the-century railway stations in Europe), designed by architect Van Bogaert. The station building itself was designed between 1895 and 1905 by architect Delacenserie. Here ends the oldest railway line in Belgium (between Brussels and Antwerp over the city of Mechelen).

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Antwerp's airport is too small and has way too little flights to even consider flying into the city from most of the places. In addition, Antwerp's Central Station is Belgium's finest and arguably one of the most magnificent in Europe. Train is therefore the best and most convenient way to reach central Antwerp.

Arriving in the Central Station, the first impressions of the city will not leave the visitor indifferent, as the building is a great example of turn-of-the century iron-cast architecture, with a sumptuous hall crowned by a big dome. Based on the plans by Louis De la Censerie, the station boasts a rather eclectic style which recalls the splendorous Renaissance architecture of the city's golden age in the 16th-century, incorporating some Art Nouveau elements which were en vogue at the time.

Belgium was in fact a pioneering country in the history of railways, as the first railway line in continental Europe was set between Brussels and Mechlin as early as 1835. The railway arrived to Antwerp a few years later and although the first Central Station building is not the one we see today, it is a dign reminder of the most glorious era of the rail history.

Until very recently, this used to be a terminus station, but an underground tunnel has just been opened, which allows trains to cross the city towards the Netherlands shortening travel times considerably.

It is located in the heart of the diamond center at Konigin Astridplein. The museum entrance ticket entitles every visitor to an audio guide and diamond card, which allows them to go on a "diamond quest" in search of their "personal" diamond.

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One of the most beautiful train stations I ever saw, it was the first building I visited in Antwerp and it is also my favourite.

It is definetely an impressive welcome to the tourist arriving in the city by train!

Just out of curiosity, it was used in the British television series 'Hercule Poirot', but it had its name changed to 'Gare de Bruxelles'...