Celorico de Basto Station - Youth Hostel

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Braga > Celorico de Basto > Cruz > Estação

Location:

The former Celorico de Basto Railway Station complex is located in the village of Cruz, in the municipality of Celorico de Basto. Situated on the eastern edge of the village, near the river, this area benefits from a setting that combines urban characteristics with the tranquility of nature. The old railway track bed, which once served the station, has been transformed into the Tâmega Ecopista (eco-path), inviting pleasant walks or bike rides. The station platform, which is still preserved, offers benches and tables, ideal for a moment of rest along this route.

Testimony of the Tâmega Line:

This location is a significant landmark in the history of regional transport. The main building was, until 1990, the Celorico de Basto railway station, inaugurated in 1932 as a vital point of the Tâmega Line. Its existence and the structures that comprised it, from the passenger building to the platforms and other facilities such as the locomotive turntable, tell the story of an era when the train played a central role in connecting communities. Despite the cessation of railway traffic, the space preserves the memory of its original function, inviting a look at the industrial heritage and the evolution of mobility in the territory.

Architectural Uniqueness:

The old station building stands out for its architectural design, which combines a classical aesthetic with regionalist features. Its construction, characteristic of the 1930s, reveals particular attention to detail. The expressive use of granite ashlar is notable, present in the corner pilasters, the frames of the openings, the finishes, and the composition of balconies. The facades are embellished with panels of azulejos (tiles), some displaying the station's name in blue and white tones, and others with polychrome vegetal patterns adorning the interior dado rail. The two-story building, with its rectangular plan, features a main facade with a large central arch and a bifora window, elements that lend a unique identity to this construction.

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