Koolvliet

We are standing at the Koolkaai, once the bustling berths of the Koolvliet. During its heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries, the largest merchant ships from the Baltic and beyond docked here. Barrels of grain, timber, and coal were unloaded, while luxury items and spices were loaded for return voyages. The quay was lined with merchant houses and warehouses, with carts carrying goods into the city.

In 1867, the canal began to be filled in, and by 1877 it was completely closed off as part of straightening the Scheldt quays. Today it's a square, but the memory of this trade route remains vibrant. City leaders once recognized this site as an economic lifeline—vital to Antwerp’s standing as a commercial hub.

As the attached paintings show, it made for beautiful scenes.