Egyptische Tempel, Antwerp Travel Guide

Discover a unique neo-Egyptian temple in Antwerp Zoo, a blend of ancient inspiration and 19th-century architecture for a historical experience.

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Egyptische Tempel

The Egyptische Tempel (Egyptian Temple) in Antwerp Zoo is a mid-19th century folly showcasing neo-Egyptian architecture. Designed by Charles Servais, it stands as one of the most valuable examples of its kind in Western Europe, blending historical fascination with practical animal housing.

A brief summary to Egyptische Tempel

Koningin Astridplein 20/26, Antwerp, 2018, BE

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Egyptische Tempel.

Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and fully appreciate the temple's architecture.
Combine your visit with a tour of the Antwerp Zoo to make the most of your trip.
Check the zoo's website for special events or guided tours focusing on the Egyptische Tempel.

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Getting There

Walking

From most locations in central Antwerp, walking to Koningin Astridplein is a viable option. The square is a major landmark and easily found. Follow signs towards Antwerpen Centraal Station; the zoo and the Egyptische Tempel are directly adjacent.
Public Transport

Koningin Astridplein is well-served by public transport. Numerous bus and tram lines stop nearby, including lines 13, 17, 32, 70, and 72. From Antwerpen-Centraal Station, it's a short tram ride to the Antwerpen Astrid Metro stop. A single fare is around €3.
Taxi

Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Antwerp. A short taxi ride from the city center to Koningin Astridplein will typically cost between €8-€11.

Discover more about Egyptische Tempel

Located within the Antwerp Zoo, the Egyptische Tempel is a remarkable structure that reflects the 19th-century European fascination with Egyptian culture. Built around 1855-56, the temple was designed by architect Charles Servais and is considered one of the most valuable neo-Egyptian buildings in Western Europe. Originally, the temple served as a home for various animals, including rhinoceroses, elephants, dromedaries, giraffes, zebras, hippos and tapirs. Over the years, it has housed other species such as De Bruijn's pademelons, lowland anoas, Arabian oryxes, ostriches and okapis. The temple's architecture includes hieroglyphs and ornamentation, with depictions of King Leopold offering a wolf to the city of Antwerp, as well as directors Kets and Vekenmans. The structure is not made of Egyptian stone and has the structure of a Roman basilica. The designer of the paintings, the orientalist L. Delguer, based his work on drawings by the German Egyptologist Richard Lepsius.Today, the Egyptische Tempel remains a key attraction within the Antwerp Zoo, blending historical architectural interest with the wonders of the animal kingdom.