For those of you who love the beautiful things in life, Sao Bento train station, one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world, is a place for you to visit in Porto.
Sao Bento Railway Station was opened to the public in 1916. Built on the site of an old Benedictine Monastery that housed a convent of Benedictine nuns, Sao Bento is one of Portugal’s most striking railway stations.
While the facade of the building is a pleasure to view on your approach to the building, the real treasure lies inside the main hall.
The dramatic azulejo panes of historical scenes designed by Jorge Colaco are the real attraction. Made with over 20,000 azulejos (hand-painted Portuguese tiles), the hallway depicts the history of transport together with historical battles.
There is also another side to Sao Bento Railway Station – the haunting of the station by the ghost of the last nun to leave the convent, which paved the way for construction of the station to begin.
Legend has it that the ghost of the nun still roams the corridors of Sao Bento Station. Some allege they have even heard her prayers in the quiet hours of twilight. Spooky!
If you visit Porto on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, I hope you find the time to visit the beautiful Sao Bento train station and the treasure that lies in the main hall.
If you plan to walk the Camino de Santiago and need a little helping hand preparing for your journey, why not let me take care of the mundane, leaving you to enjoy the magic? I offer Camino Itinerary Planning on all Camino de Santiago routes.
If you plan to walk the Camino de Santiago, check out my book, A Wild Woman’s Guide To The Camino de Santiago. I share everything you need to know before you begin your Camino. Read at A Wild Woman’s Guide To The Camino De Santiago or click the link below.
(c) Samantha Wilson 2019. All Rights Reserved.
