The tunnel was designed by architect Emiel Van Averbeke.
The original wooden escalators are still in operation and retain their 1930s mechanical character.
It is one of the few remaining examples of 1930s public infrastructure preserved in near-original condition.
The white tiling was chosen specifically for its reflective properties to brighten the underground space.
During the tunnel's construction, engineers had to contend with the soft, water-logged soil typical of the Scheldt riverbed.
The tunnel serves as an essential evacuation route and emergency exit point for the nearby traffic tunnels.
Sint-Anna’s Tunnel, also known as the St. Anna Tunnel or the Pedestrian Tunnel, is an underground passage connecting Antwerp’s city center with the left bank of the Scheldt River. Opened in 1933, the tunnel is preserved as a protected monument due to its original Art Deco aesthetic. The passage spans 572 meters in length and lies 31 meters below the surface of the river. Pedestrians and cyclists reach the tunnel level via original wooden escalators, which were among the first of their kind in Europe. The walls are tiled with white glazed bricks, and the entrances are marked by distinctive circular wooden pavilions. It remains an active thoroughfare for local commuters and tourists alike. The structure serves as a vital link between the historic city core and the residential and park-filled Linkeroever district.
At the base of the wooden escalators looking down the long, symmetrical tiled tunnel corridor.
The wooden escalators can be slippery; hold the handrail firmly.
The tunnel is often significantly cooler than the surface temperature, even in summer.
Cyclists are required to walk their bikes when the tunnel is crowded, though generally allowed to ride through.
Attempting to ride a bicycle at high speeds through the tunnel during busy morning or evening commute hours.
Keep to the right to allow oncoming traffic and faster commuters to pass; do not block the escalators.
