Travelling provides an opportunity to discover transit points that are impossible to circumvent yet are often overlooked. Let’s take a look at the most striking railway stations around the world...
Antwerp, Belgium
Voted ‘the most beautiful station
in the world’ by American website Mashable, Antwerp railway station was
built between 1895 and 1905 at the request of King Leopold II. Its
architect, Louis de la Censerie, was inspired by Lucerne station in
Switzerland. Antwerpen Centraal, to give its correct name, is made of
stone, glass and metal, and its 75-m-high dome makes it look like a
cathedral. The site was renovated in 2009 when France’s Train à Grande
Vitesse (TGV) railway network was rolled out in Belgium, providing
connections to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. As proof of its charm, the
station was awarded the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage in
2011.
Liege, Belgium
Liege-Guillemins station was thrust
into the 21st century when it was reopened in 2009, revealing its sleek
metal profile after 10 years of construction work. The station is now a
landmark of the city of Liege. It was designed by the Spanish architect
Santiago Calatrava Valls and is characterised by its two steel arches.
It adopted the name of the quarter in which the work took place.
London St Pancras, UK
Since 2007, Eurostar passengers
alight at London St Pancras rather than London Waterloo. This historical
station, which is characterised by its red bricks, is an example of
Gothic architecture dating back to the Victorian era. The station is not
far from the famous British Library, which has copies of the Magna
Carta and Johannes Gutenberg’s Bible. St Pancras was originally built to
facilitate access to the Midlands. Its main concourse is named after
its designer, William Henry Barlow.
Grand Central Terminal, New York, US
Grand Central Terminal is itself a
tourist attraction. Visitors are transported back in time with its large
clock, Greek and Roman sculptures, theatrical balconies and green
ceiling constellation painted by a Frenchman. The visit continues in the
main concourse, which leads to a maze of restaurants and kiosks,
including the famous Oyster Bar. The tour ends at Grand Central Market,
with its food purveyors spread out over 120 m.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Malaysian capital’s station
mixes eastern and western styles. The construction of this immaculate
white building began at the beginning of the 20th century and was
completed in 1910. The outside is the best vantage point for taking
photos.
Madrid Atocha, Spain
Madrid Atocha station is the
biggest in Spain. Its trains go out to Andalusia, France and the suburbs
of Madrid. Its first construction dates back to 1851, but a fire
destroyed a large part of it at the end of the 19th century. Nowadays,
visitors notice its glass and steel architecture, and its tropical
garden, with its 7,000 trees and plants. The station is, sadly, also
famous because of the March 2004 terrorist attacks.
Maputo train station, Mozambique
The railway station in the
Mozambique capital Maputo is a testament to the country’s history. The
site was designed by Gustave Eiffel. Nowadays, visitors to the station
can take a look at two steam locomotives dating back to the early 20th
century. The station also holds exhibitions and organises jazz concerts.
Kanazawa, Japan
The station in the city of Kanazawa
in the north-central region of Honshu Island, facing the Sea of Japan,
combines modernity and history. At the entrance, a huge torii (a
traditional gate, which welcomes visitors to Japanese shrines) rises up
14 m in height. Inside, the futuristic station has a majestic glass dome
with a shopping mall underneath. The roof is covered in solar panels,
giving it the title of Japan’s first eco-friendly station.
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia
In Melbourne, Victoria, all roads
lead to Flinders Street station, which is the focal point in this
cultural city. Its Victorian architecture and yellow color contrast
with the landscape, even when it rains. This symbol of Melbourne faces
the strikingly modern
Federation Square. When it was
opened in 1854, Flinders Street station was the very first railway
station in Australia, and the departure point for the country’s first
steam train.
Contact Details.
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Address : Grounf Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
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Great post, wish to have name of railway station of any city of my country in the list. Hope govt will do something to make them better to fit in the list..
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