Sint-Annatunnel

A tunnel that seems to have stopped time

The Sint-Annatunnel in Antwerpen is one of those places you don't forget once you've been there. Beneath the Schelde, at around 31 metres deep, runs a pedestrian tunnel from 1933 that looks almost exactly as it did back then. White tiles, curved vaults, a very particular acoustic. And on both sides of the Schelde: wooden escalators that carry you slowly downward. Those escalators are the real spectacle. They are 85 metres long, creak softly, and give you the feeling of stepping into another world.

What makes the tunnel photogenic

The compositional possibilities here are almost too many. The tunnel itself is symmetrical and lends itself perfectly to centre lines, vanishing points, and leading lines towards the far end. The white tiled light is diffuse and even, which means faces are lit nicely without hard shadows. That makes this a pleasant spot for street portraits, but also for refined architectural shots.

The escalators are the most photographed element, and rightly so. Use a longer focal length, 85mm or more, to compress the lines and emphasise the wood texture. A slower shutter speed introduces motion blur from people passing through, which works well when the tunnel is quiet. Early in the morning that is usually the case. Around lunchtime and at weekends the flow of cyclists and pedestrians is at its busiest.

Light and timing

There is no daylight inside the tunnel itself, only artificial light. That is consistent throughout the year, so the season matters little for the tunnel as such. Worth noting: if you stand at the top on the Sint-Jansvliet side at sunrise or sunset, the view across the Schelde towards the old town hall and the Eilandje district is beautiful. That gives you two very different photographs in a single outing.

Practical

The tunnel is free to enter and open throughout the day. Bicycles can be taken down on the escalators, though most people prefer to ride them. There is no car park directly on the Sint-Jansvliet side; park nearby and walk. A tripod will physically fit, but in the narrow tunnel it quickly becomes an obstacle for other people. With a high ISO, ISO 1600 or above, you can manage without one. The tiles reflect enough light to work comfortably.

Sources and further reading

• Stad Antwerpen – Sint-Annatunnel
• Onroerend Erfgoed – Sint-Annatunnel
• Wikipedia – Sint-Annatunnel