Dit station van Mons zal voor altijd een symbool blijven van een generatie politici die zeggen dat er niet kan bespaard worden op overheidsuitgaven, maar erin slagen om een megalomaan station te bouwen in hun eigen kleine stad, puur omdat het kan, terwijl de NMBS 20d/jaar staakt.
Belgium’s long-delayed Gare de Mons has finally opened after nearly two decades of design and construction. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the station was conceived as a monumental bridge linking Mons’ historic center with the city’s newer southern districts, with the architect first winning the commission back in 2006.
With its white structural ribs, sweeping curves, and glass-covered spine, the station is unmistakably Calatrava. The project became almost as well known for its long delays as for its design, but it now stands as one of Belgium’s most dramatic recent transport buildings.
📷 Santiago Calatrava LLC / Oliver Schuh