Culture & Travel
18 May 2024Metro stations, bustling transit points for hundreds of thousands daily, are more than just passages—they're living spaces. This makes them distinct from other transit stops. Modern and efficient metros whisk thousands to their destinations swiftly and safely in major cities worldwide, including our own.
Though our first metro commenced in 18075, it took many years for widespread adoption and coordination. Globally, metros spread much faster. Thus, metro stations have gained unique importance. Whether in exterior or interior design, showcasing various architectural styles, they're truly an art form. Today, we find metro stations in both modern and nostalgic styles. Here's a list of the most fascinating and renowned metro stations for you.
Kungsträdgården Metro Station (Sweden)
Located in Stockholm, Sweden's capital, this famous metro station is often hailed as the world's longest art gallery. Its striking green and red-toned decorations offer an aesthetic allure, resembling a time capsule with historic structures and sculptures.
Toledo Metro Staiton (Italy)
In Naples, Italy, this station captivates with its blue mosaics and exotic ambiance, akin to wandering through an aquarium museum. Designed by renowned architect Oscar Tusquets Blanca in 2012, it's one of the city's iconic spots, drawing significant tourist interest.
Arts et Métiers (France)
In the romantic city of Paris, Arts et Métiers Metro Station charms visitors with a fairytale ambiance inspired by Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Designed by Hector Guimard, it opened in 1900 and resembles a submarine.
Avtovo Metro Station (Russia)
The renowned Avtovo Metro Station in St. Petersburg boasts impressive aesthetics, from elegant marble columns to crystal chandeliers, with Soviet-era embellishments catching immediate attention. Designed by Yevgeny Levinson, it opened in 1955, showcasing Soviet baroque style.
Formosa Boulevard Station (Taiwan)
More artwork than station, Formosa Boulevard Station is dubbed the "Dome of Light," hosting the world's largest glass art piece. Comprising three floors of steel constructions covered with glass panels, it's a testament to how a metro station can become an art masterpiece.
Zoloti Vorota Metro Station (Ukraine)
Zoloti Vorota Metro Station evokes a thrilling, fantastical atmosphere with its elegant mosaics and nostalgic adornments in Soviet modernist style. At the entrance stands the "Peace and Labor Unity" sculpture group, along with works by Ukrainian artists inside.
Olaias Metro Station (Portugal)
Another artwork, Olaias Metro Station, catches the eye with its intriguing designs on stairs and platforms. Geometric, colorful patterns create a fantastical setting, complemented by various artists' works on the walls. Opened in 1988, it boasts a modern, minimalist style.
Westfriedhof Metro Station (Germany)
With a vibrant atmosphere, Westfriedhof Metro Station in Munich features large illuminated lamps that immediately capture attention. Its gray concrete spaces contrast aesthetically, designed in Art Nouveau style and conveniently close to tourist spots.
Puhung Metro Station (North Korea)
This North Korean station reflects the country's socialist culture through glittering crystal chandeliers and grand mosaic murals depicting scenes of the Korean Revolution and Workers' Party. A bustling hub, it's a visual spectacle.
Auber Metro Station (France)
Another visually captivating metro station in Paris, Auber Metro Station, impresses with its high ceilings and spacious layout. Opened in 1900, it features colorful tiled walls adorned with geometric patterns and floral motifs, along with sculptures symbolizing opera and ballet at the entrance—a graceful and artistic environment.