The Railway Cathedral

While cycling through Belgium and the Netherlands, I can’t help but admire the infrastructure here. The density of roads and bridges, industry, and bikeways (!) is amazing. Most amazing are the trains. Sooner or later, a train runs alongside the bikeway—speedy and elegant—sometimes two of them at the same time. So, obviously, there need to be stations too. The one in Antwerp, ranked No. 5 on Newsweek’s list of the “Best Stations” in the world, is an example of Belgium’s efficient infrastructure, as well as a massive statement in favor of public transportation.

It was built at the turn of the century and opened in 1905. The main hall, with its glass roof, is 186 meters (610 feet) long and 66 meters (217 feet) wide. The entrance hall was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome; its dome is 75 meters (246 feet) high, and the locals call this impressive building Spoorwegkathedraal, which translates as “railway cathedral.” The building can be compared to Union Station in Washington D.C. in terms of size – and to Grand Central in New York in terms of its symbolic meaning.

Obviously, the size and splendor of the building reflect the enthusiasm people must have felt in 1900, when the railway system had become the heart of the Industrial Revolution and symbolized the progress people were hoping for.

Today, luckily, people seem to understand that the future is public transportation—particularly in countries like Belgium, where so many people share so little space. It seems unimaginable, and somewhat foolish, to ruin the remaining spaces by building more roads. So people embrace smart solutions, most of all (e-)bikes and public transportation. And again, the cathedral that is Antwerp’s main station has become a symbol of a new era.