[Porto São Bento Station | A story hall wrapped in 20,000 azulejos]

[Porto São Bento Station | A Hall of Stories Wrapped in 20,000 Azulejos] — Museum-level decoration that makes you forget it's a train station! A place where you can feel the history and life of Portugal from azulejos (decorative tiles) — São Bento Station, located in the center of Porto, facing Almeida Garrett Square, is like a museum with stories painted on the walls 📜 It was designed by architect José Marquesda Silva and completed between 1904 and 1916. The entire station hall is filled with **about 20,000 (551 m²)** azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history and folklore  . ⸻ 📍[Location & Background] Built on the site of a former Benedictine monastery. King Carlos I drove the stakes in 1900, and in 1905, Jorge Colaço began tile decoration, which took 11 years to complete. The magnificent French-style beer hall is breathtakingly beautiful. ⸻ ✨Recommended points • A series of historical scenes: Historical scenes such as battles (Arrocos de Valdevez), the king's entry into the castle, and the conquest of Ceuta unfold like a theater. . • Depictions of rural landscapes and daily life: Grape harvests, waterwheels, festival scenes, and other scenes bring the life of old Portugal into your own hands. . • Modern transportation history fleece: Near the ceiling, there is a colorful tile band depicting the development of transportation such as railways and ships! . ⸻ 🎒Tips • We recommend staying for 30 to 45 minutes: enough time for taking photos and appreciating the whole place. • Keep an eye out for trains arriving and departing: Watching the classic trains coming in while admiring the walls is a very picturesque sight. • Visit early in the morning or in the evening: The soft light highlights the shadows of the tiles, and there are fewer tourists so you can take your time to appreciate the sights. #Porto #Portugal #AbsolutelyFreeTrip