Parks and Garden in Antwerp, Belgium
Parks
Beguinage
This little-known park is located next to the university. A small church, a small pond and the winding grounds of the park ensure restful tranquility in the middle of the city of Antwerp, Belgium according to constructmaterials.
Rodestraat 39
Botanical Garden
The origins of the Botanical Garden go back to the Middle Ages. At that time there was a herb garden here.
Today over 2,000 different plants from all over the world grow on the site.
Leopoldstraat
Middelheimpark
The Middelheimpark is known and popular mainly because of its numerous sculptures and other works of art.
In 1950 it was planned as a one-off sculpture exhibition. But because of the success with the Antwerp people, it was decided to leave the sculptures in the park permanently.
Nowadays you can find over 300 different sculptures in the 24 hectare park with its (flower) beds and lakes. In addition, their works of art were set up or exhibited here by other artists.
Nachtegalenpark
The park is located in the south of the city and includes “Vogelenzang Park”, “Den Brandt Park” and “Middelheim Park” with its open-air sculpture collection.
The park complex extends over about 90 hectares and is a popular recreation area for Antwerp residents.
Beukenlaan
Stadtpark
The Stadtpark is located near the Jewish Quarter. It is a remnant of a fortification from the 16th century.
During the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana), devout Jews move through the park to a small pond.
Everyone throws a piece of bread into it, symbolically drowning the sins of the past year.
Rubenslei
Stadium, swimming pools
Olympic
Stadium With a capacity of around 40,000 people, the stadium was the main stadium for the 1920 Summer Olympics. The opening and closing ceremonies took place here.
In addition, the athletics, football, weightlifting, hockey, modern pentathlon, horse riding, rugby, tug of war and gymnastics competitions were held in the stadium.
As a result of a series of renovations, it has been converted into a football stadium over time, which now holds a little less than 13,000 spectators. It is the home ground of the football club “Germinal Beerschot Antwerp”.
Atletenstraat 80
Swimming pool in the Veldstraat
This complex was built in the course of the seventh Olympic Games in Antwerp in 1920, in the Art Deco style.
The facility has a 33-meter pool, a bathhouse and a wellness area with saunas, a whirlpool and a bathing garden. The visitor will also find a cafeteria here.
Opening times
Monday: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (senior citizens), 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Women), 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 a.m. – 12 p.m., 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. (seniors), 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Veldstraat 83
2060 Antwerp
Tel.: 0032 – (0) 3 – 259 23 55
[email protected]
Olympic Swimming Pool Wezenberg
The pool has a 50-meter pool and a teaching pool and is particularly suitable for sporty (lap) swimmers.
Opening times
Monday 7 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Tuesday 7 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Wednesday 7 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Thursday 7 a.m. 9.30 p.m.
Friday 7 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Desguinlei 17-19
2018 Antwerp
Tel.: 0032 – (0) 3 – 259 23 11
[email protected]
Zoological Garden
The centrally located Antwerp Zoo was founded in 1843, making it the oldest zoological garden in Belgium and has been a listed building since 1983.
Several of the Art Nouveau buildings on the site are still reminiscent of this time. Among the most beautiful buildings are the reptile house, the Egyptian temple of the elephant and the okapi house from 1856 or the antelope house from 11861.
Over 5,000 animals from around 950 species live on the site.
Koningin Astridplein 20-26
Port
The port of Antwerp is the third largest in Europe. Over 130 million tons of goods are handled annually by around 16,000 ships on a port area of 65 km² in the north of the city. The world’s largest lock, the “Berendrecht lock”, is also in operation here. The best way to discover the port is by taking a tour. The harbor tour takes around 2 ½ hours and starts at Kaai 14.
A visit is also possible by car. In order not to get lost on the 350 kilometers of road in the port area, the Antwerp tourist office has put together an itinerary for the visit.
There is interesting information on:
www.portofantwerp.be
Rivers
Scheldt
Antwerp lies on the right bank of the river, which has always been crucial for commercial development. The large container port and the passenger port are located on the Scheldt. The river has its source in France and flows through Flanders past Antwerp.