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. Exploring the metro stations can be a very interesting experience for those who are passionate about architecture, art and history.
After examining travel sites, we have selected ten of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
10. Station Toledo, Naples, Italy
The deepest station of the Naples subway (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 was designed by the Spanish writer, architect and artist Oscar Tusquets Blanca. During the construction, the ruins of the Aragonese period were discovered. Some of them have been successfully integrated into the station design.
The lobby of Toledo is decorated with a huge mosaic panel by William Kentridge. It has 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 shimmering and iridescent light well, located just above the escalator. The cornices in the hall are stylized like waves, and the thoughtful lighting really creates the feeling that you are at the bottom of the sea.
9. Station Boulevard Formosa, Taiwan
The main attraction of this three-story station is the Dome of Light, the world's largest glass artwork (covering an area of 660 square meters).
Designed by the Italian artist Narcissus Callata, the dome consists of 4,500 glass fragments. It depicts four elements of the universe - fire, water, air and earth.
Usually a metro station is not the best place for weddings, but not in the case of Boulevard Formosa. This is a popular place for group weddings - perfect if you have a family on the go!
8. City Hall Station, New York, USA
This station was opened back in 1904. While its neo-Romanesque style, with its elegant stained glass windows and stately chandeliers, still mesmerizes with its beauty, the station is currently closed. But not forgotten. They even carry 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 Lisbon Metro Red Line, Olayash Station was designed by the architect Thomas Taveira. The installations were created by a whole team of designers.
Light-colored 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 had grown out of the ground and rushed up into the sunlight.
6. Tunnel Bund, Shanghai, China
This short tunnel (the journey takes about 5 minutes) provides an unforgettable experience thanks to special light and music effects.
The sections of the sightseeing train are completely transparent for a 360-degree view. The six-channel surround sound system enhances the driving experience, and the sound effects change as the environment changes.
5. Riyadh Metro Station, Saudi Arabia
This metro station will soon become the most beautiful in the world, thanks to its gilded walls, huge marble walkways and many futuristic elements using materials such as glass, steel and concrete. The King of Saudi Arabia is personally funding the project and requires the metro to be ready for use by 2019.
The station will operate on renewable energy sources, and its façade will be designed so that light can penetrate in, but the heat of the desert cannot. The luxury building will be fully air conditioned and equipped with sand protection. The general shape of the grandiose subway should be similar to the sand dunes, which are so numerous in the country.
4. Syntagma Station, Athens, Greece
This is one of the most unusual subways in the world. It will not dazzle your eyes with flaunting luxury like the Riyadh metro. But it will become a delight for the eyes of a person who is not alien 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 walls of the station is made of glass and overlooks the excavation site, showing archaeological layers, including two ancient cemeteries. You will definitely not forget such a sight.
3. Station Komsomolskaya, Moscow, Russia
The capital has many very beautiful metro stations in Moscow. But the most outstanding of them in terms of its majesty and decor, perhaps, is the Komsomolskaya station. It looks more like a luxurious ballroom. No wonder the artist Pavel Korin and the architect Alexei 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 from the Stalinist Empire style. Its ceiling is decorated with crystal chandeliers, stucco moldings 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 background of the Spasskaya Tower and by Lenin's speech in front of 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-e-Mettier, Paris, France
The second place in the selection of the most beautiful metro stations with photos and descriptions is a place that will surely appeal to fans of steampunk. The appearance of Arz-e-Mettier was worked by the Belgian comic book artist Francois Chuiten. 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 - is organically integrated into the general concept of the appearance of an old submarine.
It is curious that one of the the most beautiful train stations in the world.
1. T-Central, Stockholm, Sweden
Almost all stations of the Stockholm Metro resemble an art gallery or museum. In fact, they are so beautiful that many people miss their trains while admiring the free artwork.
And the most beautiful subway in the world is known as the "blue platform", after the predominant color of the Tunnelbana 3 line.This is the most memorable line for guests of the city, although there are also "red" and "green" lines in T-Central.
Its vaults 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.
Blue is the predominant color in T-Central, and perhaps it was chosen to give people a sense of calm in contrast to the chaos of the city.