Thavelling inside museums. Top 14 Most Astonishing Railway Stations in the World

Waiting for the train isn't the most pleasant part of your journey. Sometimes we come to the railway station too beforehand. This happens with local railways stations, not with the world known. Among them you can see the unique historical and architecture sightseeing. Some stations are real masterpieces of the modern architecture. The original architecture is not the only thing that will attract passengers. Also, railway stations offer a great number of useful services. In their buildings you can find outstanding shops, famous restaurants and even high-qualified hotels.

The central Antwerp railway station is one of the most beautiful landmarks of the city. It is located in the magnificent building made in the neo-baroque style in the beginning of the 20th century. A great sum of money was spent on this building. The sum was enormous because there were used more than 20 types of stone and marble. Nowadays the marvellous railway station, located on the Astrid square, receive trains from Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and some Belgium towns.

The famous architect Louis Dela censerie has built this marvellous railway station. Today the station's building impresses not only with its exterior but also with the interior. In the building has been saved an adorable cupola like celling. It is decorated with the paintings and outstanding leaded panels. Wide marble staircases with craven bannisters, ancient clock were also saved.

Unfortunately, in the middle of the 20th century, the building was too close to be ruined. The reconstruction, that was made at the right time, saved the valuable architecture monument. The old station attracts a lot of people. Some visit it for moving to another place, another come here like in a museum. The huge shopping mall has also placed in the station. More than that, you can find over 30 jewellery saloons, several restaurants, and cafes. Waiting won't be boring at this railway station. It is a good place to visit for every tourist. This station is included in every tour around the city. Next - St Pancras International

St Pancras International, Great Britain

St Pancras International is quite interesting historical railway station in London. It was opened in 1868 in a neo-gothic building made from red bricks. In the late 20th century the railway station was rebuilt at a cost of £800 million. After the reconstruction the station became the prominent city landmark. In 1873 it was decided to open the hotel of 500 rooms. Hotel "Midland Grand" worked there for about 50 years and in 1935 was closed and rooms were rebuilt in the offices. Complete article

Sirkeci Gari Station, Turkey

Sirkeci Gari Station – an outstanding landmark building – is an adorable railway station in Turkey. This building was made in Ottoman architectural style in 1890. In the end of the 19th century there came the world-famous Orient Express train from Paris. As it was many years ago, the colourful stained-glass windows still decorate the building. The railway station has become the business centre of the city. The terminal building rises on an area of 1,200 square meters. The terminal restaurant became a meeting point for journalists, writers, artists and cultural figures. Complete article

Estacion de Atocha, Spain

The unique railway station that unites both traditional and modern styles is situated in Madrid and called Estacion de Atocha. In 1992 at the historic station was opened a new terminal. It was decorated with exotic plants. This place is at the same level with the best Botanic Gardens of the Earth. There you will see a lot of tall slim palms, exotic plants and flowers, the wonderful pool of tortoises. Complete article

Union Station, USA

If you are looking for the atmosphere of the old times, you have to visit the Union Station in Los Angeles. It was built by a father and a son – John and Donald Parkinson. The station was built in the colonial and popular at that time art-deco styles. The snow-white celling and the delicate decoration from painted wood have been saved in the interior. The floor is made from marble and resembles an artistic canvas. Complete article

Estacao Sao Bento, Portugal

In Porty travelers have a great opportunity to visit the historic railway station Estacao Sao Bento. The interior resembles the old French villas of the 19th century. The mansard roof and the wonderful interior decoration and handmade painting – all these have been saved in the building of the station. The architectural landmark of the station is the painted azulejois. There was used about 20 000 bricks for decoration. All of them were painted by the famous artist - Jorge Colaço. It took him 11 years. Complete article

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, India

An adorable Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station has placed in Mumbai. Its beauty can't be compared with any station in the world. The building has the unforgettable balance. It has united neogothic and traditional Indian elements in its decoration. At first, the architect wanted to build the magnificent building in the Victorian style but then decided to add outstanding national elements to the austere style. Complete article

Southern Cross Station, Australia

Southern Cross Station has to be included in a list of the best places in Melbourne for curious tourists. In contrast with other popular railway stations, it became known thanks to its modern decoration. The building has a huge wavelike roof with a wonderful lightning. Earlier this station was called Spencer Street, after the reconstruction, the station was modernized and took a new name. Complete article

Kanazawa Station, Japan

Japan also has outstanding railway stations. One of the most interesting is the Kanazawa Station. It was opened relatively recent, in 2005. The station has placed in the renovated building of the old palace. A few years after, has appeared the new most advanced entrance. Now it has high red handmade wooden columns. The new accretion is topped by the domed shape glass roof, that resembles a huge umbrella. Complete article

Grand Central New York, USA

New York central railway station is also in a list of the world known landmarks. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and stands out from the other by the architectural concept. The main symbol of the historic station is the huge Tiffany clock. The station is decorated with the high cupola emerald celling. There you will see golden astronomic figures. Complete article

Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Germany

The largest and the most modern railway station in Europe is the Berlin Hauptbahnhof. This station is two-tiered and has 14 railway lines. The building of the central Berlin station was built under the project of the famous architect – Meinhard von Gerkan in 2006. The first station has appeared at this place even at the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, then came to the war and the building was absolutely destroyed. Today the station attracts its head-to-toe view. Its exterior walls are faced with glass panels. The building looks wonderful when the sun sets. Sunbeams reflect in its glassed panels. Complete article

Helsingin Paarautatieasema, Finland

The central railway station of Helsinki is the man landmark of the city. It was built in 1914 in the marvelous modern style. Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen – a famous architect – has projected this station. The process of the building lasted about 10 years. The station appeals both with its attractive exterior and wonderful interior decoration. Complete article

Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Malaysia

The building of the old railway station has placed right in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. This building is in a list of outstanding historical monuments of the city. This elegant colonial building was finished in 1910 by the project of an English architect – Arthur Benison Hubback. He has built a number of other old houses in the city. Kuala Lumpur Sentral is considered the major railway hub of Malaysia at last 100 years. Complete article

Gare du Nord, France

Gare du Nord Station is a very stylish and interesting place in Paris from the touristic point of view. This station was opened in 1864. Today it has 44 railway lines and is one of the largest in Europe. Every year this station has been served by more than 200 million people. It serves both suburb and international trains. Complete article

Station Hua Hin, Thailand

Hua Hin attracts people with its outstanding railway station. The station was built in 1911. The entire building was made from the wood in traditional style. The fragile wooden buildings have been saved after more than a hundred years. Every day from this station trains go to Bangkok and other Thai cities. Complete article