Like in the jungle: This is probably the most beautiful train station in the world

A huge tropical garden with 7,200 plants, an exciting monument and fascinating historical stories.

On your next visit to Madrid, it is recommended to mark V on the Atocha train station which is considered one of the most special in the world

Walla!

Tourism

23/05/2022

Monday, 23 May 2022, 08:31 Updated: 09:03

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Atocha train station in Madrid (Photo: YouTube)

Trains are one of the oldest methods of land transport while train stations are, literally, a crossroads.

However, there are train stations where staying is the main thing.

One of the most beautiful is the Atocha station in Madrid, Spain.

Many even refer to it as the most beautiful train station in the world.

Atocha Train Station is located in the heart of the city - and is often referred to as the "Iron Heart" of Madrid.

Although it has undergone many architectural changes throughout its history, it still remains an amazing element that attracts visitors.

And it's not just its architecture that sets it apart from any other train station in the world, but mostly what's hidden inside it.

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Born in a wooden structure for royalty only

Atocha was built in its current incarnation in 1851 and was to be the first railway station in Madrid.

As such, it served as one of the first major transportation hubs in the country, and as the cornerstone through which every other railroad across the city was built.

Its unique architectural style was inspired by ironworks from the late 19th century.

This unique feature, facing the front, is often the most memorable part of Atocha's architecture and is also the way it can be easily identified.

However, the city's main train station did not always look like that, and it was born more modestly.

The Travel website notes that originally, the existing structure was nothing more than a wooden train station that showcased a simple design.

What’s more: The train station was originally intended for royalty, and in fact began its journey as a luxury station that was not open to the general public.

But in 1864, not long after the station was expanded, to accommodate more serious traffic volumes, a fire severely damaged the building.

This fire was also the catalyst for the use of iron, which can be discerned in the architecture of the railway station today, since the iron is able to withstand damage that wood can not.

During the 1980s, when train travel increased again, the station was expanded once more.

Today, part of the station is the original 19th-century terminal, which still includes the classic iron elements.

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Tropical Garden: Plants from five continents

One of the main characteristics of Atocha today is its magnificent tropical garden.

It is home to exotic plant species.

The idea for the creation of the garden was by the Spanish architect Rafael Monao.

This spacious garden surrounds a space that is 152 meters long and rises to a height of 27 meters.

The design of this space resembles a huge greenhouse, and iron and glass are used extensively.

Thus, many plants have "occupied" platforms and railways from the past, which are no longer in use.

In total, 7,200 plants from 260 different species grow at the station.

Particularly dominant are coconut, banana, breadfruit and more.

The origin of the plants growing in the station is from five different continents.

And so, already at the entrance to the station you can feel like wandering in a tropical forest.

The sunlight that penetrates the glass ceilings and the fog that results from the creation of its moisture the plants need - only intensifies this feeling.

Another notable feature of the Atocha station is the monument built in memory of the victims who lost their lives during the train station attack, which occurred in 2004. Following the tragic events of that tragic day (dubbed the "March 11 attacks"), 193 people were killed.

The cylindrical monument rises to a height of 11 meters.

One way or another, the next time you visit Madrid, take a short break for a tour of this impressive stop.

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