The Railwayman

Category: Civil Architecture > Memorial

District: Setúbal > Palmela > Pinhal Novo

Location

O Ferroviário is strategically located in the town of Pinhal Novo, municipality of Palmela, in the district of Setúbal. Its location is intrinsically linked to the railway network, being in the heart of the town, which developed and prospered around the railway line. This positioning reflects the genesis of Pinhal Novo as an important railway hub, distinguishing it within the municipality by its own identity, forged by the dynamics of the railway.

History and Transformation

The space "O Ferroviário" occupies the old and emblematic building of the Pinhal Novo station, a historical landmark of the South Line. Inaugurated on the stretch between Pinhal Novo and Setúbal in 1861, this station was, for decades, a focal point for the movement of passengers and goods, shaping the life of the region and the growth of the town of Pinhal Novo itself. Although its original function as a transport interface has been deactivated, the building has been carefully adapted, transforming into a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich railway history that shaped the local identity.

Tiles: Landscapes and Art at the Station

One of the most notable aspects of the building are the twenty-three tile panels adorning its walls. Dating from 1938, these panels were created by João Rodrigues, based on photographs by Manuel Giraldes da Silva. Each piece represents distinctive landscapes of the surrounding region, offering an artistic glimpse of the era. These tiles not only contribute to the beauty of the space but also illustrate the tradition of ornamentation in Portuguese railway stations, highlighting the artistic sensitivity and good taste in the presentation of these transit points.

Memory and Community Identity

Inside "O Ferroviário," visitors find a space dedicated to safeguarding the memory and the deep connection of the Pinhal Novo community to the railway. Thanks to generous donations from former workers and their families, the place narrates the stories of generations of men and women, from track layers to drivers, from telegraph operators to station masters, whose efforts were crucial to the development of the railway network. This collection allows for an understanding of Pinhal Novo's evolution as a town intrinsically linked to the train, and how its culture, including agricultural traditions and the so-called "caramela culture," became inseparably intertwined with the dynamics of the railway.

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