Promenade: Following the traces left by the Red Star Line in the city

Antwerp and the Red Star Line are inseparable. Millions of emigrants arrived in Antwerp and departed from there. Their passage left its mark. The Red Star Line tour highlights their story and reopens this chapter of history.

At the height of the Red Star Line’s operations, departures reached a rate of two ships per week. Every week, up to 3,000 emigrants left Central Station for the Rijnkaai. The emigrants’ eyes were wide with wonder, but the local population wasn’t always sure what to make of the streams of people in the streets either. The emigration economy was running at full speed. The Red Star Line had a strong presence in the city.

Today, there is virtually no trace left of this chapter in history. But the Red Star Line Museum is bringing it back to life. This walk lets you see the city through the eyes of the emigrants. Like them, you’ll start at Central Station and end at the Scheldt, where the Red Star Line ships set sail.

📏 4 km
🕑 1h30min
📍 Gare Centrale
🏁 Red Star Line Museum