Postgebouw van Oostende, Protected monument and cultural center in Ostend, Belgium
Postgebouw van Oostende is a protected monument and cultural center located on Hendrik Serruyslaan in Ostend. The facade features ceramic reliefs and bronze sculpture, with interior spaces configured for exhibitions and public gatherings.
Construction took place between 1947 and 1953 as a replacement for the original post office destroyed during World War II. It stands as the only government building in Belgium designed by architect Gaston Eysselinck.
The building now functions as a cultural center that hosts exhibitions and community events throughout the year. Local and visiting artists use the spaces to share their work with residents and tourists alike.
The entrance is on Hendrik Serruyslaan, reached through three revolving doors: the two right-hand doors once led to the letter and parcel counters, the left-hand door to the telegraph and telephone service. The former telegraph hall now serves as the cultural centre's café. The building opened as De Grote Post in December 2012 after renovation by the Antwerp firm B-architecten.
The bronze group on the facade, showing a nude goddess ringed by four female figures representing human ethnic groups, was only installed in 1963, after both Eysselinck and sculptor Jozef Cantré had died. Disagreements over the artwork had led to Eysselinck being barred from the building site in 1953.
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