Portuguese American Journal

Categorized | Featured, Heritage, Mozambique, Travel

São Bento railway station one of the most beautiful in the world – Porto

Posted on 23 August 2011. Tags: , , , , , , , ,

São Bento train station, in Porto, Portugal, was listed amongst the 16 most beautiful railway stations in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine.

Dedicated in 1916, the building was designed by Portuguese architect Marques da Silva, inspired on the French Beaux-Arts style.

The station is famous for its magnificent tile panels depicting landscapes, ethnographic scenes and well as historic landmarks.

“While the exterior is certainly beautiful—and brings to mind 19th-century Parisian architecture with its mansard roof and stone façade—it is the front hall that will make you gasp. The walls are covered with 20,000 splendid azulejo tin-glazed ceramic tiles, which took 11 years for artist Jorge Colaço to complete.” – notes Time & Leisure.

Main lobby at São Bento train station in Porto, Portugal.

Reportedly designed by Gustave Eiffel in the early 20th century, CFM (Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique) railway station, in Maputo, Mozambique was also listed by Travel & Leisure magazine amongst the most beautiful in the world. The station showcases several historic steam locomotives.

Train station in Maputo, Mozambique.

Three railway stations in the United States also made the list, namely Union Station, Washington, DC; Union Station, Los Angeles; and Grand Central Terminal, New York.

Located in nothern Portugal, Porto (population 237,559) is the second largest city in Portugal, registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

paj.cm

Read more >>



RSS Inside Portugal Travel

  • The flavors of the North of Portugal
    The gastronomy of northern Portugal is one of the richest and most varied in the country. A region of traditional flavors, the North invites visitors to try out its finest dishes, served with exquisite wines and complemented by sophisticated desserts. The restaurant menus throughout the coastal area include fresh fish and shellfish dishes, as well as other d […]
  • Cascais to host first world kite surfing race
    Cascais will host the first World Kite Surfing race, according to Kite Surf Pro Association. The competition will take place at Guincho Beach, between the 1st and 10th of June. The World Championship will provide a prize of 15,000 Euros and will also have three other races in Mauritius, Ireland and Maui later in the year. […]
  • 15 days, 800 Miles Madrid to Lisbon Mountain Bike Tour - an ultimate epic crossing
    Imagine biking from Madrid  to Lisbon in 15 days, finishing at Cabo da Roca Cape - the westernmost point of Europe; 800 miles of off-road across forest tracks, gravel roads and incredible single tracks over the highest slopes across the Iberian Peninsula until reaching the Atlantic Ocean.The Iberian Peninsula is one of Europe best locations to go Mountain Bi […]
  • Oficina da Natureza (Workshop of Nature) has developed programs for nature tourism
    Oficina da Natureza (Workshop of Nature) has developed programs for nature tourism with an emphasis on the footpaths in Peneda-Geres National Park and Douro Wine and equestrian trails in Minho. The company has extensive experience in the area of tourism that focuses on Cultural and Nature in Porto, northern Portugal. They also offer products in the areas of […]
  • Bikotel - Bike Friendly Hotels in Portugal
    Have you ever imagined a place where you could simply search for hotels that are designed to accommodate cyclists and that have several mountain biking or cycling routes available nearby? Recently, A2Z Consulting launched the website Bikotel - Bike Friendly Hotels, which offers a simple way to find hotels certified as Bikotels and various types of routes to […]