Ciutat Vella

The Estació de Fança, Barcelona’s grand station, is a showcase of good taste and monumental architecture. Despite its size and beauty, few trains run from the station today. As we approach the lobby and platforms we’ll discover a building whose elegance has often been compared to the old Gare d’Orsay in Paris.

In 1926, Barcelona was undergoing sweeping transformations and preparing itself for the 1929 International Exhibition. One of the projects was the Estació de França, designed by the engineer Andreu Muntaner and the architect Pedro Muguruza. They both joined forces to provide all the elements necessary to create a modern and elegant station worthy of the first line connecting Barcelona and France. The Estació de França comprises two main sections: the train shed and the lobby. There is a curved glass and metal canopy over the 12 tracks and seven platforms, a fine example of wrought-iron architecture, filling the train shed with natural light and creating a spacious area.

In the Estació, the same is true of the noucentista-style lobby, designed by Duran Reynals, creating a spacious area ideal for all kinds of activities. An elegant clock keeps accurate time and there is also a model of the station. The lobby and buildings around the tracks were constructed from luxury materials, including marble and bronze, which give the station its characteristic ornate appearance.