The Beauty of the Railway Cathedral
One of the many things I love about Europe is the rail system. Traveling through Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, I was able to get anywhere I wanted to go by train or other public transportation with very few delays. I enjoy the ride itself and looking out the window at the countryside and cities along the way. I also appreciate the interesting architecture and design of the old stations, particularly that of the central station in Antwerp, Belgium, nicknamed the Railway Cathedral. I felt that I had stepped into the middle of a European film noir.
Antwerp Central Station, The Railway Cathedral
As I got off the train and looked up to the top level of the station, I was really taken in by its beauty.
Antwerp is also a very busy station and people were rushing to catch their connections.
I took a few minutes before catching my train to Rotterdam to buy a warm Belgian waffle with chocolate melted on top. I didn’t want to leave Belgium without having that delicious experience.
Beautiful photos!
Love train travel in Europe. The best way to go.
Thank you! 🙂
Wow ! Love these photos of well-composed architecture !
Thanks, Mike. “Well-composed architecture”is a good way to put it!
Antwerp is a beautiful city and I loved this train station as well…nice shots!
Glad you’ve been there, too Raymond. I was so taken by this station.
Railway stations in the Be-Ne-Lux countries are often so beautiful. Love that middle photo!
Thanks, Sophie! Hope I get a chance to see more stations in BeNeLux soon.
the arched windows are so romantic- even in a train station.
I agree, Jade. Very romantic!
I love how many train stations are architectural master pieces. I love the light in this one, I can see why it’s called the “railway cathedral.”
I think it’s so wonderful that so much attention was taken to designing beautiful stations — really give you a sense of the romance of travel.
The first picture is my favourite, and it just makes sense for it to be black and white (or monochrome, which ever one it is)
Denise @ the art of slow travel
Thanks, Denise — I thought so, too!
Nice pics! I’m with you. I like the older railway stations in Europe. There are some pretty ones in Paris too. Have you seen them? I especially like the gare de lest.
Thanks! You’re right about Paris, but I’ve only been to Gare du Nord. Would love to see the others.
I love the trains in Europe!! Just looking at these photos makes me think that anything is possible…
Me, too. It’s such fun to travel by train in Europe. Wish we could get around more areas in the U.S. like that!
These are beautiful pictures! I love the grand rail stations they have in Europe. They are architectural marvels and very impressive.
Thank you, Debbie! I was totally impressed with Antwerp station and others.
Great photos! I love the train stations in Europe. I haven’t been to Antwerp before, but last year I was awe-struck by the station in Milan, Italy. They don’t make ’em like they used to!
Thanks, Michael! You said it that they don’t make ’em like they used to. Love the character of these old stations.
Those photos are beautiful! Its amazing….there are so many unique train stations all over the world. They are full of so much beauty and history. I could spend hours and hours in some of them just getting lost and discovering everything they have to offer.
I’m pretty sure I can smell those Belgian waffles now…..yum!
The warm chocolate waffle was a treat I’d like to repeat! I know what you mean about spending time in some of these stations. Wish I could have done that in Antwerp. It’s interesting just watching all the people.
I love the first image! It would look good in B&W as well, if you want to experiment 🙂 Something about European train stations that is captivating, or maybe it’s just me…
Hmmm… maybe I’ll do a little experimenting with the B&W. Glad you like the photo. No, it’s not just you — I think the European train stations are absolutely captivating.
I certainly agree on the railroad travel in Europe. it is the best way to see Europe. We took the railroad to Paris and we past Belgium. If we had more time, we would have gotten off and taken the time to see Belgium, but we only had time to spend the weekend in Paris. When (not if) I get back to Europe I will plan out my trip on the railroad and see more of the countryside and take more than a weekend.
I’d like to spend more time exploring different cities by train, too. Seems like there’s never enough time, doesn’t it?
Not been there in person yet, but heard it’s quite a special building. Well captured!
Thanks, Jools. I hadn’t heard about how special the Antwerp station — so it was a very nice surprise when I saw it first-hand.
I also love the grand rail stations in Europe. Enjoyed the photo!
Thanks, Stephanie 🙂
great photos! agree with you about the european railway stations. there is definitely something special about them. i kept thinking i was in an oldschool movie or something!
Thanks, Jamie – I know, some of these stations can really make you feel as though you’re transported to a different time. I love that about them.
That is a sweet station. Train stations are often fascinating… so old and grand.
Very sweet, indeed! (Especially if you indulge in a chocolate covered Belgian waffle while there :-))
Great photos. There are so few train stations in America with such grand architecture.
Thanks — you’re so right. I do love Grand Central Station in NYC and many others in the U.S., but they’re still quite different than those in Europe.
Glad they have kept the old railway buildings in many European cities. They truly are amazing examples of older architecture…if you remember to look up! Nice!
Good advice — always remember to look up in the grand old stations!
the cathedral is very beautiful
It’s very easy to see why they call it “The Railway Cathedral”, isn’t it?
What a beautiful station! We are so thrilled to be back in Europe where we can take the train everywhere – our favourite form of transportation!
Hope you’ll have many wonderful train travel experiences in Europe!
Have you ever read any W.G. Sebald – a wonderful novelist who wrote lovingly of (I think) this station in his novel, Austerlitz.
No, I don’t believe I have ever read any Sebald — I’ll check him out!
Great photos, Cathy 🙂
Beautiful Pictures. It looks like a real Cathedral tho.
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