Sint-Pieters Station, Ghent

Gent-Sint-Pieters Railway Station is the primary railway station in Ghent. It is the fourth-busiest railway station in Belgium and the busiest in Flanders, serving approximately 17.65 million passengers annually. Operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium, the station has a rich history dating back to 1881, when it originated as a small stop on the Ghent–Ostend line. Initially, the main station in Ghent was the South railway station, established in 1837.

In preparation for the 1913 International Exposition held in Ghent, a new and grander Gent-Sint-Pieters station was constructed. Designed by architect Louis Cloquet, the station was completed in 1912, just before the World's Fair. The building showcases an eclectic architectural style, featuring a long corridor that runs through its length, granting access to various facilities. A distinctive feature of the station is its cross-form design, facilitated by a tunnel, designed by engineer P. Grondy, which connects the entrance hall to the twelve platforms. The original waiting rooms, once designated for second and third-class passengers, now function as a buffet and restaurant area.

Gent-Sint-Pieters was officially classified as a historic building in 1995, and the station underwent renovations starting in 1996, with the western wing's interior refurbishment completed in 1998. From 1998 until March 31, 2015, the station also hosted a daily Thalys high-speed rail service to Paris.

The station is decorated with murals and ceiling paintings depicting 13 Belgian cities, including Ostend, Mechelen, Oudenaarde, Ypres, Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, and Courtrai, among others. These artistic elements were intended to provide visitors to the 1913 World’s Fair with a visual journey through Belgium's diverse cities, enhancing the station's cultural and historical significance.