ESTAÇÃO DA LUZ
Go there and contact
Impressive, large train station in the Bon Retiro district, home to an interesting Museum of the Portuguese Language
The railway heritage is often grandiose because it was built when the developed countries, then in the midst of the industrial revolution, wanted to show their economic power and industrial know-how at the same time. Inaugurated in 1901, the Estaçao da Luz train station is impressive for its grandiose architecture and size. It is a reflection of the city at that time, gigantic and rich, thanks to the growth of the coffee trade. Dominated by its clock tower, inspired by the famous Big Ben of Westminster in London, it was built in the middle of the city's botanical garden, in the Bon Retiro district.
It was the gateway to the city's illustrious characters who made their fortunes in the midst of the industrial revolution, and it was also the gateway to the migrants, the labour force needed to carry out these great projects, who came to populate the city en masse. Partially destroyed by fire in 1946, it was reopened 5 years later, but has undergone many renovations.
It is still one of the most important stations in the city today, while the train has been abandoned for the plane and the bus. It is the nerve centre of an urban transport network that is not very well developed by rail, but it is also a metro station (lines 1 and 4), and it houses the interesting Museum of the Portuguese Language (Museu da Língua Portuguesa). Unfortunately a new fire, this time in 2015, partially destroyed the museum and the architectural heritage of the station.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on ESTAÇÃO DA LUZ
A l'intérieur, grands mouvements de foule pour prendre le train ou le métro.