Zuid (Antwerp)

The Zuid ("South") in Antwerp is a currently fashionable area of Antwerp. Revived in the mid-1980s, it has an attractive street plan and a few Art Nouveau buildings, such as the former Volkshuis (or Maison du Peuple) on the Volkstraat, but which now houses the Rudolf Steiner school. Three museums, numerous commercial art galleries, fashionable cafes and restaurants, two arts' centres and a sprinkling of up-market shops add to the attractions of the area.

History

Antwerpen Zuid (Antwerp South) came into being as a distinct district with the demolition of the Citadel or Zuidkasteel, which was originally built by the Spanish occupier. Demolition works were started in 1874. The street plan was approved by Royal Decree in 1875. It is said to have been inspired by Haussman, giving rise to the nickname “Le Petit Paris”. Work was started on the excavation of the Zuiderdokken (Southern Docks) in the same year. The area was developed over the next 25 years, with most of the major public buildings being completed in the final decade of the century. Landmarks in the history of the district include:

• two World Fairs, held respectively in 1885 and 1894 (see list of world's fairs);

• the completion of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in 1890;

• the completion of the “Dutch” Synagogue in the Bouwmeestersstraat in 1893 (see Jewish Community of Antwerp);

• the opening of the Parein biscuit factory in the Brusselsestraat in 1894;

• the completion of the St.......
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