Old Aveiro Station

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Aveiro > Aveiro > Aveiro > Sá-Barrocas

Location

Located in the Sá-Barrocas area, in the city of Aveiro, the Old Station is strategically and easily accessible, marking one of the main entry points to the locality. Its imposing facade fits into the urban landscape, making its presence felt on Avenida Lourenço Peixinho, one of the city's central arteries.

Historical Legacy and Architectural Style

Originally inaugurated in 1864, the initial station proved insufficient for the growing railway traffic. Thus, in 1915, its expansion was decided, resulting in the building admired today, inaugurated the following year. The project, authored by architect José Coelho, reflects an aesthetic close to the ideal of the "Portuguese house," an architectural style that gives the structure a distinct regional character. The building stands out for its wide facade, composed of five staggered sections, and for details such as the awnings over the windows and the richly azulejo-decorated pediments on the upper floors.

The Art of Azulejos

One of the most distinctive elements of the Old Station of Aveiro is its vast collection of azulejos, installed in 1916 and produced at the Fábrica da Fonte Nova, with the authorship of Francisco Pereira and Licínio Pinto. The facades are adorned with dozens of panels, predominantly in blue and white, complemented by touches of yellow that enrich the friezes and pediments. These azulejos are a true ethnographic and cultural testimony of the region, depicting professions, typical figures such as fishermen, varinas, and tricanas, local landscapes and monuments, as well as Aveiro's strong connection to the Ria and the sea, and the wine production of Bairrada. A detailed observation of these panels invites a visual journey through the history and identity characteristics of Aveiro and its region.

Space of Culture and Aveirense Identity

After careful rehabilitation that preserved its original character, the Old Station of Aveiro reopened its doors to the public, establishing itself as a reception and interpretation center for the city and the region. The space functions as an interpretive center of the building itself, old and contemporary, and hosts exhibitions that enrich the knowledge of local heritage. It is a place where visitors can deepen their understanding of Aveirense history and traditions, observing how the building has transformed into a meeting point with local culture and identity.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt