The eastern part of the city of Antwerp named 'Zurenborg' was originally a village located on the outskirts of the city. It is now renowned for its majestic large town houses and monumental palaces, built during the Belle Epoque period. The Cogels-Osylei is the centre of the area. The potpourri of styles makes this quarter unique in Europe and is therefor very popular with archictects from all over the world.
The multitude of architectural styles and decorations is breathtaking. One can find a house in neo-gothic style standing right next to a house in Art Nouveau style (a.k.a JUGENDSTIL). All the houses were built at the time when all over Belgium the neo-styles were very popular (neo-classicist, neo-gothic, neo-renaissance, etc...).
In addition to its stately architecture, it's also a trendy and very pleasant area to live.
History:
In the middle of the 19th century the population boom in Antwerp made an enlargement of the city necessary. In 1866 Edouard Osy and John Cogels inherited farmland from their father Baron Jean Osy, situated in the Zurenborg area, outside of Antwerp. This district was cut off from the city by the railway line Antwerp-Rosendaal. In 1876 a new railway station for goods was constructed there. Osy and Cogels realized that the area had a lot of potential for development and sold it to the 'S.A pour la construction du quartier Est d'Anvers (= company for the development of the eastern quarter of Antwerp). This company wanted to build new industry here, but already in 1882 the original plan was changed. Apparently, it would be more financially rewarding to build new houses here.
A new company, financed with capital form the Antwerp catholic gentry and bourgeoisie started to urbanize the district and between 1892 and 1900 hundreds of houses were build...and not average ones....
Zurenborg district has always divided the opinion of the critics : precious or pretentious ? In the 1950's and 1960's the entire area was considered to be out of fashion and was therefore often ridiculed. A lot of houses escaped demolition. In the 1970's a change came about. The collection of neo-styles was again more appreciated and seen for what is really was: a perfect example of the mentality and taste of a certain epoch, in this case the 'fin de siècle' (end of the century) of the 19th century.

built during the Belle Epoque period. The Cogels-Osylei is the centre of the area. The potpourri of styles makes this quarter unique in Europe and is therefor very popular with archictects from all over the world.
The multitude of architectural styles and decorations is breathtaking. One can find a house in neo-gothic style standing right next to a house in Art Nouveau style (a.k.a JUGENDSTIL). All the houses were built at the time when all over Belgium the neo-styles were very popular (neo-classicist, neo-gothic, neo-renaissance, etc...).
In addition to its stately architecture, it's also a trendy and very pleasant area to live.
History:
In the middle of the 19th century the population boom in Antwerp made an enlargement of the city necessary. In 1866 Edouard Osy and John Cogels inherited farmland from their father Baron Jean Osy, situated in the Zurenborg area, outside of Antwerp. This district was cut off from the city by the railway line Antwerp-Rosendaal. In 1876 a new railway station for goods was constructed there. Osy and Cogels realized that the area had a lot of potential for development and sold it to the 'S.A pour la construction du quartier Est d'Anvers (= company for the development of the eastern quarter of Antwerp). This company wanted to build new industry here, but already in 1882 the original plan was changed. Apparently, it would be more financially rewarding to build new houses here.
A new company, financed with capital form the Antwerp catholic gentry and bourgeoisie started to urbanize the district and between 1892 and 1900 hundreds of houses were build...and not average ones....
Zurenborg district has always divided the opinion of the critics : precious or pretentious ? In the 1950's and 1960's the entire area was considered to be out of fashion and was therefore often ridiculed. A lot of houses escaped demolition. In the 1970's a change came about. The collection of neo-styles was again more appreciated and seen for what is really was: a perfect example of the mentality and taste of a certain epoch, in this case the 'fin de siècle' (end of the century) of the 19th century.

Thanks to the initiative of the alderman of culture Frans Van Kuyck the Schoonselhof was acquired by the city of Antwerp in 1911 to serve as the last resting place for the deceased. Before that time the domain had already a rich history. The name Schoonselhof is said to originate from Jan van Wilrike, said of Sconsele. (1319) Formerly, close to the schansfields there should have been a farm, named Sconsele which should mean "schoon" (beautiful) and "zele". (house or marshy, swampy ground) The original castle Schoonselhof was initially a house of pleasure, a country house for the traders who lived in Antwerp in the 16th century. The domain was situated in the manor of Wilrijk. Since the year 1540 the Schoonselhof has seen 20 owners. In 1871 Julius Moretus becomes the last master of the castle of the Schoonselhof. When he died a bachelor in 1911 the city of Antwerp bought the 84 hectare estate for the sum of 806 799 francs to use it as a cemetery.
On August the 8th 1914 military parks of honour are created. The first person to be buried at the Schoonselhof was a German soldier. (in August 29th 1914) Since September 1st 1921 the Schoonselhof is a public cemetery.
http://www.schoonselhof.be/schoonselhof.html

the domain had already a rich history. The name Schoonselhof is said to originate from Jan van Wilrike, said of Sconsele. (1319) Formerly, close to the schansfields there should have been a farm, named Sconsele which should mean "schoon" (beautiful) and "zele". (house or marshy, swampy ground) The original castle Schoonselhof was initially a house of pleasure, a country house for the traders who lived in Antwerp in the 16th century. The domain was situated in the manor of Wilrijk. Since the year 1540 the Schoonselhof has seen 20 owners. In 1871 Julius Moretus becomes the last master of the castle of the Schoonselhof. When he died a bachelor in 1911 the city of Antwerp bought the 84 hectare estate for the sum of 806 799 francs to use it as a cemetery.
On August the 8th 1914 military parks of honour are created. The first person to be buried at the Schoonselhof was a German soldier. (in August 29th 1914) Since September 1st 1921 the Schoonselhof is a public cemetery.
http://www.schoonselhof.be/schoonselhof.html

Still going strong after 163 years!
The Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in the world. The buildings are home to more than 950 species and 5 000 animals.
The Antwerp Zoo has developed an international reputation because of its participation in international breeding programmes for threatened species, such as the okapi, the bonobo, the Golden Lion Tamarin and the Congo peacock.
The beautiful, distinctive buildings and garden have been classified
Its location - originally just outside the city walls, now an oasis of peace in the heart of the city, next door to Central Station - is typical of its nineteenth-century origins.

developed an international reputation because of its participation in international breeding programmes for threatened species, such as the okapi, the bonobo, the Golden Lion Tamarin and the Congo peacock.
The beautiful, distinctive buildings and garden have been classified
Its location - originally just outside the city walls, now an oasis of peace in the heart of the city, next door to Central Station - is typical of its nineteenth-century origins.