Old Ribeiradio Train Station

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Viseu > Oliveira de Frades > Ribeiradio > Bairro da Estação

Location

The Old Ribeiradio Railway Station is located in the town of Ribeiradio, in the municipality of Oliveira de Frades. It is situated in the area still known today as Bairro da Estação (Station Neighbourhood), a designation that evokes its former connection to railway transport. The site is located at an altitude of approximately 266.5 metres above mean sea level, providing an understanding of the region's topography.

A Gateway to the Railway Past

This location was a significant point in the history of the national railway network, particularly the Vouga Line. Its inauguration dates back to November 4, 1913, when the section between Foz do Rio Mau and Ribeiradio came into service. Shortly thereafter, by the end of the same month, the line already extended to Vouzela, consolidating the station's role in the regional context. The Vouga Line was built by the Compagnie Française pour la Construction et Exploitation des Chemins de Fer à l'Étranger, and its operation was transferred, from 1947 onwards, to the Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses.

Legacy and Historical Value

For several decades, the Old Ribeiradio Railway Station served the local community, playing a fundamental role in the transport of passengers and goods. The closure of this section of the Vouga Line, on January 2, 1990, marked the end of an era for the railway infrastructure. Today, the station building remains as a tangible testament to its historical importance. Its mere presence invites reflection on the evolution of transport and the impact that the railway had on the development and daily life of Ribeiradio and neighbouring localities.

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