Antwerp will soon have a new heritage depot in the Zuid district, designed to house the city’s entire heritage collection of 800,000 items and make them accessible to

the public. Located in the Pomppark Zuid near the ring road, the depot is envisioned as a welcoming, "hospitable" space open to visitors.

The facility will store a wide range of heritage items, including artworks, historical artifacts, and archaeological finds, many of which are not currently on display in exhibitions. "Our impressive heritage collection represents the physical memory of our city," said Nabilla Ait Daoud, Antwerp's city councillor for culture. "These items are the puzzle pieces of our collective past, reflecting Antwerp’s pride and identity. The city has a duty to preserve this rich cultural heritage for future generations."

The depot’s design includes three interconnected sections: a main storage facility, a work building, and a reception area, along with a café for visitors. The facility will be climate-controlled to ensure the proper preservation of the collection. In addition to serving as a storage space, the city aims to integrate the depot into Pomppark, creating a pleasant environment for public engagement with Antwerp's heritage. Photo by Ad Meskens