A symphony of steel and glass greets you. This is Estaciòn de Delicias. More than just a station it’s a portal to history.
Estaciòn de Delicias wasn’t always a museum. It opened in 1880 a monumental achievement for its time. King Alfonso XII himself inaugurated it. This was a big deal. Madrid’s other main stations weren’t even finished yet.
Designed by the French engineer Emile Cacheliere this beautiful building initially served as the terminus for trains to Portugal and the west of Spain. People mistakenly think Gustave Eiffel was involved. That’s a common myth. The metal framework was actually built in Belgium by Fives-Lille the same company that worked on Paris’s Gare d’Orsay. It was then shipped to Madrid for assembly. The original design incorporated a unique foundation system by Henri de Dion. This is one of the oldest surviving examples of this innovative approach.
For decades Estaciòn de Delicias thrived. It was one of Madrid’s four major stations. However its glory days faded. It closed to passenger traffic in 1969. Then it closed to freight in 1971. The building became a storage depot then later a filming location. Movies like Doctor Zhivago and Amantes were filmed there. Even TV shows like Cuéntame cómo pasó used it.
Eventually a plan to save this architectural marvel emerged. In 1980 RENFE proposed declaring it a National Historic Monument. This would house their railway collections. An agreement was reached with the Ministry of Culture. The building was restored at a cost of 370 million pesetas. It now houses the Railway Museum. The museum also has a café. That’s in a gorgeous 1930s dining car.
Today Estaciòn de Delicias stands as a testament to a bygone era. It’s a fascinating blend of industrial design and historical significance. The building stands as a silent observer of Madrid’s evolution. A wonderful place to visit. Explore its rich past. Discover its hidden stories. This impressive railway station awaits your exploration.