Castelo Melhor Railway Station

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Vila Nova de Foz Côa > Castelo Melhor > Estação Ferroviária

Location

Castelo Melhor Railway Station is located in the eponymous locality, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa. It is situated in a rural and isolated environment, positioned on the south bank of the Douro River. This old interface is part of the deactivated Douro Line, which once connected Pocinho to Barca d'Alva. Its location offers a unique perspective on the Douro landscape, inviting a tranquil observation of the natural surroundings.

A Railway Legacy

Inaugurated on December 9, 1887, Castelo Melhor Station represented an important milestone in the expansion of the national railway network, integrating the final stretch of the Douro Line. In its early days, it was a vital connection point for local inhabitants, particularly from the Almendra area, who used it as their main mode of transport, despite the challenging road accesses. Its closure in 1988, with the deactivation of the connection between Pocinho and Barca d'Alva, marked the end of an era of significant activity for this location, and it is currently derelict.

Architecture and Details

The building of Castelo Melhor Railway Station, representative of early 20th-century communication and transport architecture, still retains its original design. The structure features plastered and painted walls, enriched by tile courses that adorn its façades. Notably, the elements in granite ashlar are prominent, present in the frames of the openings, in the pilasters, friezes, and platband, imbuing it with solidity and a distinctive character. The wooden doors and window frames, together with the metal canopy and ceramic tile roof, complete the ensemble, illustrating the materials and construction techniques of the era in which it was built.

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