Subway stations have a reputation for being dark, dirty, and noisy. At least most of them do. To find the exceptions, you have to go underground and literally go underground. Exploring subway stations can be a very interesting experience for those who are interested in architecture, art, and history.
After studying tourist sites, we have selected ten of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
10. Toledo Station, Naples, Italy
The deepest station of the Naples metro (50 meters) changes as it moves deeper into the earth's surface. Its colors go from black and gold to all sorts of shades of blue, symbolizing the descent below sea level.
The station's architect was the Spanish writer, architect and artist Oscar Tusquets Blanca. During construction, ruins from the Aragonese period were discovered. Some of them were successfully integrated into the station's design.
The Toledo's lobby is decorated with a huge mosaic panel by William Kentridge. It bears the long title "Central Railway for the City of Naples."
But the most beautiful in Toledo is the intermediate hall, where you can admire the shimmering and iridescent light well, located directly above the escalator. The cornices in the hall are stylized as waves, and the thoughtful lighting really creates the feeling that you are at the bottom of the sea.
9. Formosa Boulevard Station, Taiwan
The main attraction of this three-story station is the Dome of Light, the world's largest work of glass art (covering an area of 660 square meters).
Designed by Italian artist Narcissus Cagliata, the dome is made up of 4,500 glass fragments and depicts the four elements of the universe – fire, water, air and earth.
A metro station isn’t usually the best place to hold a wedding, but not Boulevard Formosa. It’s a popular spot for group weddings – perfect if you have a family that’s always on the go!
8. City Hall Station, New York, USA
This station was opened back in 1904. And although its neo-Romanesque style with elegant stained glass windows and majestic chandeliers still captivates with its beauty, the station is currently closed. But not forgotten. There are even excursions to it.
By the way, it is in City Hall that the final battle takes place in one of the most expensive films in history - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
7. Olayas Station, Lisbon, Portugal
Located on the Red Line of the Lisbon Metro, Olaias station was designed by architect Tomás Taveira, and the installations were created by a team of designers.
Light floor tiles and bright multi-colored walls in a mosaic style are successfully complemented by powerful metal columns - as if tree trunks grew out of the ground and rushed upward, towards the sunlight.
6. Bund Tunnel, Shanghai, China
This short tunnel (the journey takes about 5 minutes) offers an unforgettable experience thanks to special light and music effects.
The train's compartments are completely transparent, providing a 360-degree view. A six-channel surround sound system enhances the ride experience, with sound effects changing as the environment changes.
5. Riyadh Metro Station, Saudi Arabia
This metro station will soon be the most beautiful in the world, thanks to gilded walls, huge marble passages and many futuristic elements using materials such as glass, steel and concrete. The King of Saudi Arabia is personally funding the project and demands that the metro be ready for use by 2019.
The station will run on renewable energy and its facade will be designed to let in light while keeping out the desert heat. The luxurious structure will be fully air-conditioned and sand-proof. The overall shape of the pompous metro is meant to resemble the sand dunes that are so abundant in the country.
4. Syntagma Station, Athens, Greece
This is one of the most unusual subways in the world. It will not amaze you with its ostentatious luxury, like the Riyadh metro. But it will be a delight for the eyes of a person who is not averse to art. After all, Syntagma displays unique antique exhibits found during the construction of an additional metro line for the 2004 Olympics.
One of the station's walls is made of glass and overlooks the excavation site, showing off archaeological layers, including two ancient cemeteries. It's a sight you won't forget.
3. Komsomolskaya Station, Moscow, Russia
There are many very beautiful Moscow metro stations in the capital. But the most outstanding of them in its grandeur and decor is probably the Komsomolskaya station. It looks more like a luxurious ballroom. It is not for nothing that the artist Pavel Korin and the architect Alexey Shchusev were awarded the Stalin Prize for their work on the appearance of Komsomolskaya.
One of the most beautiful metro stations in the world is also one of the busiest in the capital. About 160 thousand people pass through it per day.
The station has collected all the best of Stalin's Empire style. Its ceiling is decorated with crystal chandeliers, stucco and eight panels made of colored opaque glass and precious stones.
- Six of them depict famous historical figures such as Dmitry Donskoy, Alexander Nevsky, Mikhail Kutuzov, and others. There is also a mosaic with Soviet soldiers at the walls of the Reichstag.
- The other two mosaics previously depicted Joseph Stalin at the Victory Parade and during the Presentation of the Guards Banner.
- However, after Stalin's death, they were replaced by the Motherland against the backdrop of the Spasskaya Tower and Lenin's speech to the Red Guards.
The escalator hall at the transition to the Sokolnicheskaya line is decorated with Florentine mosaics (the Order of Victory, red banners and weapons framed by a laurel wreath intertwined with a St. George ribbon).
2. Arz-et-Metier, Paris, France
The second place in the selection of the most beautiful metro stations with photos and descriptions is occupied by a place that will surely appeal to lovers of steampunk. The appearance of Arz-et-Métiers was worked on by the Belgian comic book artist François Schuiten. Thanks to his efforts, the station was transformed into the "Nautilus" from the works of Jules Verne. Everything in it - from chairs to trash cans - fits organically into the overall concept of the appearance of an old submarine.
Interestingly, Paris is also home to one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world.
1. T-Centralen, Stockholm, Sweden
Almost every Stockholm metro station resembles an art gallery or museum. In fact, they are so beautiful that many miss their trains to admire the free works of art.
And the most beautiful underground in the world is known as the "blue platform", due to the predominant color of the Tunnelbana 3 line. This is the most memorable line for visitors to the city, although T-Centralen also has "red" and "green" lines.
Its vaults are decorated with floral motifs, and the station itself is carved into the rock, and upon entering it you will immediately feel like you are in a huge cave. A very beautiful and well-lit cave.
Blue is the predominant colour in T-Centralen, and perhaps it was chosen to give people a sense of calm in contrast to the chaos of the city.
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