First impressions count! You get your first impression of the city from the train station. And the railway station in Porto provides a truly unique experience.

The old Sao Bento Railway Station is a real pride of the locals, one of the main attractions of the city, and one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. From the distant 16th century, this place had been occupied by a majestic medieval Benedictine monastery until it was destroyed by a strong fire at the end of the 18th century. For many years, the abandoned ruins had remained empty until the people of Porto decided to wipe the prosperous Lisbon’s eye and build the best railway station in the entire country. So, the former monastery turned into memories a short time later. In 1900, the King of Portugal Carlos I the Martyr laid the foundation stone for the future station and gave the directive of the construction of the famous Portuguese architect, a fan of French architecture, Jose Marques da Silva. Hence a certain similarity with the French style in its exterior. The main treasure of the Sao Bento Railway Station is located inside the building, on the centuries-old stone walls of the main hall, decorated with traditional azulejo ceramic tiles. These magnificent giant panels show the history of Portugal. They depict such historical characters as a noble brave knight, a fighter for independence, and mentor of the first Portuguese king, Egas Moniz, and King of Leon and Castile, Alfonso VII. Besides, some of them show such significant events as the bloody Battle of Arcos de Valdevez in the 12th century, the conquest of Ceuta in the 15th century, as well as the solemn arrival of King John I (Joao) with his young wife Philippa of Lancaster shortly after their marriage in 1387. Other panels display picturesque rural landscapes.

There is no hurry as the Sao Bento Railway Station is the suburban railway terminus. Thus, you can enjoy the outstanding monument of ancient architecture and learn the history of Portugal in quiet.