Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The Centraal Station, Antwerp, Belgium

 

The Centraal Station in Antwerpen is also known as "Middenstatie" or the "Railway Cathedral".  Its exact location is at Koningin Astridplein 27, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium.  Tagged as the most beautiful station in Europe and fourth in the world.  It exudes extensive array of architecture of Baroque and neo-classical features.


The Centraal Station is an architectural marvel designed by Architect Louis Delacenserie, a Belgian architect from Brugges.  He took his inspiration from the Pantheon of Rome.  The Centraal station was built between 1895 to 1905.  It has four floors and twenty four tracks.


This amazing station is a museum on its own.  It is a busy gateway from France and The Netherlands.  Lockers can also be rented here if you plan to explore Antwerp.











Places to explore near The Centraal Station:
1. The Antwerpen Zoo
2. Diamonds jewelry shops
3. Antwerp City Hall
4. Meir
5. Groenplaats
6. Antwerp Cathedral of Our Lady
7. Grote Markt
8. Het Steen Castle
9. St. Paul's Church
10. MAS Museum
11. The Port House
12. Vleeshuis or the Butcher's House

Rheinfall, Switzerland

Switzerland, officially called the Swiss Confederation, is a mountainous country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the north,  Italy to the south, France to the west, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.  Four of its major languages are French, German, Italian and Romansh.  Famously known as the "peace capital" and  where Red Cross originated.  It is also known for its amazing and mesmerizing alpine scenery.
 

Few of the many things that Switzerland is known for are:
1. The Toblerone mountain - Zermatt and Matterhorn
2. Swiss trains
3. Swiss clocks
4. Cheese fondue
5. Swiss alps
6. Mount Titlis
7. Swiss chocolates
8. The Red Cross in Geneva
9. Glacier Express
10. Swiss Army knives
11. Swatch
12. Swiss Castles


We came from Luzern prior to arrival in Rheinfall.  Luzern is 107 kilometer or an hour drive away going to Rheinfall.


Rhein Falls or Rheinfall is the grandest waterfall in Central Europe.  The total fall is around 100 feet (30 meters) with width of 492 feet (150 meters).


Rhine Falls is located on the High Rhine on the border of Schaffhausen and Zurich.  Rhine Falls is exactly located at 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland.


The mighty Rhine Falls is the most impressive waterfall in Europe and also a popular place to visit in Switzerland.  The water flows at a powerful rate of 600,000 liters per second and during winter at 250,000 liters per second.





Rheinfall can be reached via train and reach station "Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall or Neuhausen Rheinfall"

Julia at a souvenir shop in Rheinfall


The top attractions near Rheinfall are:
1. The Rheinfall itself - the largest waterfall in Europe!
2. Schloss Laufen - The Laufen Castle
3. Diessenhofen - cozy old town with beautiful houses
4. Schlossli Worth - a castle built in the 12th century
5. Hagenturm - with magnificent view of the Swiss Alps and French Vosges
6. Zikularfestung Munot - well preserved defense fortress and an example of early fortification 
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