Metro stations have a reputation for being dark, dirty and noisy. At least most of them. To find exceptions, you need to delve into the underworld and literally go underground. Studying metro stations can be a very interesting activity for those who are passionate about architecture, art and history.
After exploring travel sites, we selected ten of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
10. Toledo Station, Naples, Italy
The deepest metro station in Naples (50 meters) changes as it moves deeper into the earth's surface. Its colors go from black and gold to all kinds 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, the ruins of the period of the Kingdom of Aragon were discovered. Some of them were successfully integrated into the design of the station.
Toledo's lobby is decorated with a huge mosaic panel by William Kentridge. It bears the long name “Central Railway for the City of Naples”.
But the most beautiful in Toledo is the intermediate hall, where you can admire the flickering and iridescent light well, located directly above the escalator. Eaves in the hall are stylized under the waves, and 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 the World - the world's largest work of art made of glass (covers an area of 660 square meters).
Designed by Italian artist Narcissus Kalyata, the dome consists of 4,500 glass fragments. It depicts the four elements of the universe - fire, water, air and earth.
Usually the metro station is not the best place for weddings, but not in the case of Formosa Boulevard. This is a popular venue for collective wedding ceremonies - perfect if you have a family that's always on the go!
8. City Hall Station, New York, USA
This station was opened in 1904. And although her Neo-Romanesque style with elegant stained glass windows and magnificent chandeliers still fascinates with its beauty, the station is currently closed. But not forgotten. She even carries excursions.
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 They Live."
7. Olayash Station, Lisbon, Portugal
Olayash Station, located on the Red Line of the Lisbon Metro, was designed by architect Thomas Taveira. And the installations were created by a whole team of designers.
Light floor tiles and bright multi-colored walls in the style of a la mosaic are successfully complemented by powerful metal columns - as if tree trunks grew from the ground and rushed up to the sunlight.
6. Tunnel Bund, Shanghai, China
This short tunnel (the journey takes about 5 minutes) gives an unforgettable experience thanks to special light and music effects.
The compartments of the sightseeing train are fully transparent, providing 360-degree visibility. A six-channel surround sound system enhances the ride experience, and sound effects change as the environment changes.
5. Riyadh Metro Station, Saudi Arabia
Soon, this metro station will become the most beautiful in the world, thanks to gilded walls, huge marble walkways and many futuristic elements using materials such as glass, steel and concrete. The King of Saudi Arabia personally finances the project and requires the metro to be ready for use by 2019.
The station will operate on renewable energy sources, and its facade will be designed so that light can penetrate inside, and the heat of the desert - no. The luxury building will be fully air-conditioned and equipped with sand protection. The general form of the pompous subway should be similar to the sand dunes, which are so many in the country.
4. Syntagma Station, Athens, Greece
This is one of the most unusual subways in the world. It will not strike your eye with flaunted luxury like the Riyadh subway. But it will be a delight for the eyes of a person who is not alien to art. Indeed, in Syntagma, unique antique exhibits found during the construction of an additional metro line for the 2004 Olympics are on display.
One of the walls of the station is made of glass and goes to the excavation site, showing archaeological layers, including two ancient cemeteries. You will definitely not forget such a sight.
3. Komsomolskaya Station, Moscow, Russia
In the capital there are many very beautiful metro stations in Moscow. But the most outstanding of them, in its majesty and decor, is perhaps the Komsomolskaya station. It looks more like a luxurious ballroom. No wonder the artist Pavel Korin and the architect Aleksey Schusev 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 from the Stalinist Empire. Its ceiling is decorated with crystal chandeliers, stucco molding 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 remaining 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 with their motherland against the backdrop of the Spasskaya Tower and Lenin’s speech to the Red Guards.
The escalator hall upon 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-e-Metier, Paris, France
Second place in the selection of the most beautiful metro stations with photos and descriptions takes a place that steampunk fans will surely enjoy. The appearance of Arz-e-Metier was worked by the Belgian comic book artist Francois Schuiten. Thanks to his efforts, the station was transformed into “Nautilus” from the works of Jules Verne. Everything in it, from chairs to garbage cans, is organically integrated into the general concept of the appearance of an old submarine.
It is curious that in Paris there is also one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world.
1. T-Centrallen, Stockholm, Sweden
Almost all stations in the Stockholm Metro resemble an art gallery or museum. In fact, they are so beautiful that many are late for trains, admiring the free works of art.
And the most beautiful subway in the world is known as the “blue platform”, according to the prevailing color of the Tunnelbana 3 line. This is the most memorable line for the city guests, although there are also “red” and “green” branches in T-Centralen.
Its arches are decorated with floral motifs, and the station itself is carved into the rock, and upon entering it you will immediately feel yourself in a huge cave. In a very beautiful, and well-lit cave.
The blue color is predominant in T-Centralen, and perhaps it is chosen to give people a sense of calm in contrast to the chaos of the city.
