Beneath the city of Antwerp lies an abandoned underground network of tunnels and stations, often called a "ghost metro." This system was originally designed to accommodate heavy metro trains, but the project was never completed. While the city is known for its landmarks such as its cathedral and the house of painter Peter Paul Rubens, the underground network remains a hidden part of its infrastructure. The network includes a 90-meter-long platform at the Opera station, which was built for future metro trains that never arrived. Since 1975, the tunnels have been used by trams instead, allowing them to avoid surface traffic. The pre-metro system, which opened on March 25, 1975, was designed with the idea that the tunnels could be used by existing trams while still being large enough to eventually accommodate full metro trains. Today, the underground network spans about 11 kilometers and includes twelve active stations, serving eight different tram lines. This dual-purpose design allowed the city to use the tunnels immediately while keeping the possibility of expanding to a full metro system open. The original plan for the pre-metro began in the 1960s when the Belgian government examined the future of public transportation in major cities, including Antwerp. Initially, the vision was for a 15-kilometer network with 22 stations, but due to limited funding, the project was scaled back significantly. The Opera station, with its two 90-meter-long platforms, is a clear example of the oversized design intended for future metro trains that never materialized. Despite the reduction in scope, the entire network was built with dimensions suitable for full metro trains. Over the years, the system expanded in stages, reaching areas such as Diamant and Plantin in 1980 and crossing the Scheldt River via the Brabotunnel to Van Eeden in 1990. These extensions maintained the original metro dimensions, showing that the city never fully abandoned the idea of a full metro system. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the abandoned sections of the network. Stations like Zegel have been reactivated, and the Opera station has been completely renovated. The Flemish Region is investing in bringing the remaining sections, particularly those under the Turnhoutsebaan axis, back into service by 2027. The main tunnel of the pre-metro is currently undergoing major renovations, starting in May and expected to be completed by the end of March next year. During this period, some tram lines will temporarily operate on the surface.