Throwback to Train Rides and Antwerp’s Splendor

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Up until 2020, my daily routine revolved around trains. Work called me to Brussels, but the journey inevitably went through Antwerp. And let me tell you, if you’re going to spend time switching and waiting for trains, Antwerp Central Station is the place to do it. A temple to travel, it’s less a station and more a cathedral for commuters, and I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity to soak it all in.

Antwerp Central: Where Trains Meet Grandeur

They don’t call it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world for nothing. Every corner of Antwerp Central feels like it’s been lifted straight out of a Wes Anderson film, with its intricate ironwork, soaring red arches, and a light that dances between warm nostalgia and modern energy.

Walking through its platforms and levels was never just about finding my next train—it was about finding perspective. The layered architecture of the station, with its multilevel platforms and lofty glass ceiling, gives the illusion that the station itself is alive, moving with the rhythm of footsteps, arrivals, and departures.

Finding Beauty in the Waiting

Most people grumble about waiting for trains. I didn’t. This station gave me the gift of time—time to look up and appreciate the grand steel arches above the platforms, time to wander past the station’s unique mix of modern and historic details, and time to capture the perfect angles with my camera.

The vibrant red of the support beams felt both industrial and romantic, glowing warmly in the evening light. The endless repetition of lines and curves made the perfect frame for the trains themselves, waiting patiently like actors about to take the stage.

And when I had my fill of the station’s inside, I stepped out to Antwerp’s streets. The surrounding area buzzed with urban energy, a contrast to the station’s regal calm. Cobblestones glistened after rain, reflecting the soft glow of streetlights—a perfect reminder of how even the ordinary becomes extraordinary when you pay attention.

The Puddle Perspective

One of my favorite shots came from the most unglamorous of places: a puddle. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but there’s magic in the mundane. Crouching down to capture the street’s reflection in the water turned an otherwise typical view into something surreal. It was a small, fleeting moment of creativity—proof that inspiration can be found anywhere if you’re willing to get your knees wet.

A Station Like No Other

Looking back, my daily commute wasn’t just a chore. It was a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate a space that transforms an ordinary activity—travel—into an experience. Antwerp Central wasn’t just a stop along the way; it was a reminder that beauty and art exist even in the middle of life’s routines.

Now, in a post-2020 world where remote work keeps me closer to home, I miss those train rides and the quiet minutes of wandering through Antwerp Central. It’s a space that turns waiting into wandering, motion into meditation.

So, if you ever find yourself there, don’t rush to your next train. Take a minute to walk around, look up, and let the grandeur of the station remind you: even the in-between moments of life can be extraordinary.

📸 Captured & Edited

Shot with: Apple iPhone 14 Max Pro
Edited using: Lightroom Mobile & Skylum Luminar AI

All photos are my own work. Dive deeper and explore more on my website or check out my links.

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37 comments
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It is beautiful! Great photos! I have not spent nearly enough time in Belgium.

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Thank you!!!
🙏
Yes, it certainly does have its beautiful places!!! Ever been to Bruges?
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I have been to Bruges! I spent 3 days at a B&B in Laarne and did some touring around.

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Lovely isn’t it!!!
And there’s much more like that in Belgium! But not as heavily concentrated as in Bruges 😉

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@melinda010100! @borniet Wants to spread Hope! so I just sent 1 HOP to your account on behalf of @borniet.

Since we think the world can use more Hope, you can now already start spreading Hope yourself!

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An excellent use of lines and curves, excellent vanishing points in some of these photos and a praiseworthy chromaticism!

!discovery shots
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Thank you! Yes !INDEED, leading lines, balance (or disbalance!) and composition in general are often what makes or breaks a photo, so thank you very much! 🙏

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!HOPE
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That certainly is one elegant train station, and you captured it very well indeed, @borniet! Those city shots are great too! It's great to see you posting in the Visual Shots community! I will be soon too! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙

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Thank you! Yes, Antwerp is an adorable city! And a lovely photo subject as well :-) And this station, yeah, it's almost impossible to shoot bad photos there ;-)
Yup, trying out the Visual Shots community, and loving it so far...

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Of course, you're very welcome! I love that description, adorable! Yeah, I don't think that I've ever seen a train station like that one! That's really good to hear about liking the VS community, as that gives me more motivation to start posting here as well. I think I need to create a new post template for it first, however... 😁🙏💚✨🤙

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Yeah, been working on my template as well, as you may have noticed :-)
Well... To be honest, ALL credits go to @nathalie-s !!! She provided me with all the building blocks :-) It's one of her many superpowers!
About the train station, yes, it is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, and depending on the list, it's on nr 1 or definitely still top 3. And what's more, Nathalie worked there in the past! As a train driver even :-D
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That's excellent, and yes, I have been noticing! I've been wanting to make various changes to mine as well, and to create new ones for new purposes. That's very cool about your wife and her assistance, and that she worked in that cathedral of a train station, and even as a train conductor! Wow! 😁🙏💚✨🤙

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She is quite impressive for sure!!! ;-)
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I see that! I stand in awe! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙

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@tydynrain just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @borniet! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

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@borniet just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @tydynrain! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

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@tydynrain just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @borniet! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

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@borniet just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @tydynrain! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

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@tydynrain just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your comment dear @borniet! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

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@tydynrain just sent you a DIY token as a little appreciation for your post dear @borniet! Feel free to multiply it by sending someone else !DIY in a comment :) You can do that x times a day depending on your balance so:

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