SAMGA, Silo A
THE ABANDONED SILO IN BELGIUM
In 1895 this SAMGA silo was the first silo built in Antwerpen. It is 100 meters long and 25 meter wide. Inside the building are 144 brick silos that can hold 25,000 tons of grain.
In 1895 Antwerp architect Frans van Dijk built this grain silo. SAMGA owned the builsings, the company name is short for ‘Société Anonyme des Magasins à Grains d’Anvers’. The company was founded in 1892.
Beginning in 1870, the Agricultural Invasion led to an influx of inexpensive grain into Antwerp from America, Canada, and Russia. This grain was initially unloaded by hand at the port. Seeking to simplify, streamline, and reduce costs, grain traders devised plans to construct silos and mechanize transportation.
Towers
The original structure featured four towers atop the roof, with two on each side. This design allowed grain to be transported up both sides of the building, distinguishing it as a unique silo. Following damage from a V1 bomb during the Second World War, the building underwent repairs and enhancements. Initially, two additional levels were constructed above the existing structure, and the towers were reduced in height. Subsequently, a modern transport system was installed on the upper floors, which was later replaced in 1977.
In 1939 a second SAMGA silo was built beside this one. Furthermore, a third silo was built in front of silo A in 1971. I took these photos of the abandoned Magasins à Grains in 2011 and 2016.
