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When you are wandering through Antwerp you’ll notice that there is wide variety of architecture and styles. You can find old and authentic houses next to the most modern structure imaginable. But… there is one neighbourhood and especially one street where almost all old houses are in their original form or restored in the original form.
On a beautiful day it is interesting to walk from the train station in Berchem (outer city) towards the Draakplaats, a square with several restaurants and café’s. The development of this neighbourhood coincided with the peak of Art Nouveau popularity and has some other influences as Gothic Revival, Neo-Renaissance, Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and the “cottage style” that coincided with British Tudorbethan architecture…
Anyway… despite all this culturally loaded architectural info… it’s just a nice walk with great bombastic houses from another era. Wander around in the nearby streets as well… and take your time to absorb the details of these magnificent buildings. Even I still find new things every time I pass there . And you can end with a nice breakfast or lunch at café Wattman.
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Cogels Osylei | Art & culture
Cogels Osylei | Zurenborg
24 hours daily
Good tip! Did really enjoy the architecture in Cogels Osylei. The variety is truly fantastic, and unique in its kind. A must for architecture and urbanism minded when visiting Antwerp. However, walking there is quite an experience amidst all those heavy speedy buses. Keep a close eye on your kids, otherwise accidents will happen. Such a pollution and congestion in this wonderful area, the city should be crazy.
Yeah I know, the busses and traffic aren’t the added valeu of this street. But as you said, worth the visit!