Trains and railroads have revolutionized the way we travel. It used to be so tedious and slow, you had to find horses and a carriage, then change those horses a few times to get from point A to point B. And then there’s the way home. Oof! With Trains it’s so easy! You hop on it, and in a few hours or days you’re there. And you can play games, read, write, sip tea, solve murder mysteries in the adjacent cart. Fun times all around!
Naturally, where there are trains, there are also train stations, and not all of them were created equal. Some are much more breathtaking than others. So here are 7 of the most astonishing train stations in the world.
1. Gare du Nord, Paris
There’s a general rule of thumb: the more beautiful the city, the more awesome the train station. And you know that Paris is one of the most stunning cities in the world, so going by that rule, Gare du Nord railway station, opened in 1864, is nothing short of phenomenal
2.
Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa
Before the renovations in 1898, Kanazawa station was not looking great, but the architects have really outdone themselves. At first people were baffles, as its new modern design was different from the old castle city look.
3.
St. Pancras International, London
One of the few train stations created in a Victorian style, St. Pancras International, aka the “cathedral of the railways” was opened in 1868. It survived 2 world wars and was renovated multiple times, but you can still see the old bones.
4.
Atocha Station, Madrid
Welcome to the jungle! Oh, wait, that’s the Atocha station in Madrid. Yes, this lush garden is just sitting there in the middle of the station. Hundreds of species of plants and rare animals live there and that’s pretty awesome.
5. Grand Central Terminal, New York
One of the most memorable landmarks of New York – the Grand Central terminal, built in 1913, draws millions of tourists every year, and being the biggest station in the world, that’s to be expected.
6. Antwerp Central, Antwerp
In 1905, when Antwerp Central was opened, no-one could even imagine that one day it’s going to be proclaimed as the most beautiful railway station in the world. You can almost see the style emanating from this awe inspiring train station.
7. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
UNESCO is pretty strict when it comes to adding locations to the list of world heritage sites, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai very much deserved that honor. And it’s the only station to get on that list. All because of the unique combination of architectural styles – traditional Mughal and Victorian Gothic.
