Millions of people around the world use a form of public transport in their daily lives, to get to and from work or to just get around in general. One of the easiest and quickest ways to get around is by using underground subways or metro stations.
When you think of a metro station you don’t think of bright colourful walls, magnificent sculptures and huge pieces of art adorning the walls but thats exactly what these stations have. Here are 10 of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
Toledo Metro Station, Naples, Italy
source: telegraph
The Toledo Metro station is part of an art project known as Stations of Art, otherwise known as Hundred Stations Plan which puts the design of new metro stops into the hands of contemporary artists and architects. The Art Stations that are distributed along the lines 1 and 6 of the Metro network have over 180 pieces of art within them. In 2012 the Toledo Metro Station was given the title of the most beautiful in Europe.
Kievskaya, Mayakovskaya And Park Pobedy Stations, Moscow, Russia
source: russos.livejournal.com
The metro stations of Kievskaya, Mayakovskaya and Park Pobedy in Russia, Moscow, might look like precious and historic places that should be preserved and opened as a museum but don’t be fooled. Although the metro system was opened in 1935 and was just 6.8 miles long it has grown to be the largest metro system in 2014 outside of Asia with a total length of 202 miles and 195 stations. Park Pobedy is also one of the deepest underground stations in the world at 74 metres (243 ft).
Solna Station, Stockholm, Sweden
source: adragunov.com
Otherwise known as Solna centrum, this incredible looking metro station is also part of a shopping mall that is located just 5km from central Stockholm. The Solna centrum complex was opened in 1975 and is host to 120 stores and restaurants, 40 offices and 214 apartments and of course, a metro station.
Avtovo Metro Station, St. Petersburg, Russia
source: asergeev.com
This Moscow Metro station is also part of the same system mentioned previously. The stations were perhaps the most extravegant architecutral projects that the USSR undertoke. Under the command of Stalin the stations were built and designed to embody radiance and brilliance and to serve as “palaces for the people”.
Formosa Boulevard Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
source: getintravel.com
The Formosa Boulevard Station located in Taiwan is a three-level underground station is known for its “Dome of Light” which is the largest glass artwork in the world spanning 30 metres in diameter and covering 2,180 square metres, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata.
University Of Naples Subway Station, Italy
source: dezeen.com
This rather colourful and candy like metro station will leave you wanting to visit your nearest sweetshop. The University Of Naples Subway Station in Italy was designed by New York based designer Karim Rashid. Sculptures and bright artworks line the walls and even the stairs and escalators in a design inspired by the new digital age in a world that is shrinking and technology plays a key role in innovation and revolution.
U-bahn Station, Munich, Germany
source: flickr.com
The U-Bahn Station ( “Untergrundbahn” meaning underground railway ) began operation in 1971 and every year carries 384 million passengers. The U-bahn system is currently made up of eight lines that serve 96 stations.
Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, Shanghai, China
source: mic-ro.com
The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel is one of Shanghai’s most popular tourist attractions, and easily one of its strangest too. You travel inside an automated car in this bizarre audio-visual experience. The ride tells a story like no other – the journey from space into the earths core then out again.
Olaias Station, Lisbon, Portugal
source: telegraph.co.uk
Olaias is situated on the Red Line of the Lisbon Metro. The architecture of the station was designed by Tomás Taveira and the installation you see in the pictures was designed by Pedro Cabrita Reis, Graça Pereira Coutinho, Pedro Calapez and Rui Sanchez.
T-Centralen Station, Stockholm, Sweden
source: adragunov.com
This station is at the very heart of the Stockholm metro system and is the only station where all three of the system’s lines meet. It’s central location makes it the most used station in the city.
