Santa Apolónia Station, Lisbon, Portugal by Andreas Peters

About "Santa Apolónia Station, Lisbon, Portugal"

by Andreas Peters

About the artwork

The impressive architecture of the Santa Apolónia railway station becomes apparent at second glance. It is the oldest railway station still in operation in Lisbon and is located directly on the banks of the Tagus in the Alfama district.

It was opened in 1865 and served as the Portuguese capital's central long-distance railway station for a long time. The building is characterised by its simple, classicist architecture with a light blue façade that blends harmoniously into the cityscape. Despite its historical significance, the station has been modernised over the years to meet the increasing demands of rail transport.

Today, Santa Apolónia is an important hub for national and international rail traffic. Long-distance trains to Porto, Faro and Madrid depart from here, including the overnight train *Lusitânia*, which connects Lisbon with the Spanish capital. The station is also well integrated into the city's public transport network: The **blue metro line** stops directly below the station, and several bus lines connect it to other parts of the city. Despite competition from the newer **Oriente** station, which has been optimised for high-speed traffic, Santa Apolónia remains a central stop for many travellers.

Its location on the banks of the Tagus makes the station not only attractive in terms of transport, but also a picturesque starting point for visitors. Many tourists use the station as a starting point for exploring Lisbon. Santa Apolónia is therefore much more than just a transport hub - it is a living part of the city's history.