The only park located in the city center of Antwerp, Stadspark (City Park) has become one of the top destinations in all of Belgium. While it could have easily been little more than the green heart of the city, various monuments across the park embrace the legacy of the region. Doing so has allowed it to cultivate engagement from audiences that resonate across the eras.
Experiencing the History and Legacy of Belgium
Designed by architect E. Van Cuyck, Stadspark was built on the grounds of Fort Herentals, which was a Spanish fort. Opened in the late 1860s, benches, fences and a suspension bridge defined the new space. It was a hub of activity for decades but ended up playing an active part in World War II. There are some German bunkers from the conflict still hidden in the city park. These pieces of history are in addition to monuments that embrace the legacy of the region in a much different manner.
The Statue of Louis Major defines one corner of the park, while notable memorials to the Antwerp poet Jan van Beers, Everist Allewaert and Theodoor Verstraete are located across the space. Goerges Minne’s sculpture ‘Mother and Child’ commemorates Queen Astrid and is one of the more notable monuments in the park but the largest monument in the space honors the fallen Belgian soldiers of World War I and World War II.
A memorial column erected in 1911 commemorates the annexation of the Congo Free State by King Leopold II. The front of the monument features a crowned portrait medallion of Leopold II. On the back is a Mercury that serves as a symbol for the Chamber of Commerce. The top of the piece is capped with a bronze statue of Mercury as well.
All of these monuments reside amidst sidewalks, open grass areas, a modern suspension bridge and plenty of other features that have made it a destination for joggers, rollerbladers, walkers and tourists. This activity has fueled opportunities for shops and stores in the area but has also provided audiences with a venue for organized or impromptu events like Give Freedom.
This combination highlights what it can mean for an entire space to celebrate the legacy of a city and region in a way that both residents and visitors can connect with on multiple levels.
A Living Monument
Mentioned as a living monument of special heritage, Stadspark has become a destination that attracts the attention of people from all over. This variety highlights what it can mean to embrace the legacy of a city and country in a way that creates engagement to positively define an entire community.
