Revival of Canfranc International Station
What was once one of the grandest railway stations in Europe is set for a major revival as the Canfranc International Station on the Spanish-French border prepares to welcome international passengers once again.
Once dubbed the ‘Titanic of the Mountains’ due to its opulent design, 365 windows, and vast 200-meter platforms, the Canfranc International Station in the central Pyrenees in Huesca has been lying in ruin for almost half a century. The station, resembling a grand set from a Wes Anderson movie, boasts a fascinating history. According to El Pais, the monumental terminal was a “hotbed of espionage” during the Second World War, serving as a strategic trade route for looters and gold traffickers, and as a “vital lifeline” for Jews fleeing persecution in Nazi-occupied Europe.
Inaugurated in 1928 by Alfonso XIII, the King of Spain, and Gaston Doumergue, the president of France, the station closed in 1970 after the last train departed for France, crashing into the Estanguet bridge and causing it to collapse—thankfully without injuries.
Plans to revitalize the extensive international terminal have been underway for years, supported by the local community, Spanish and French authorities, and the EU. Furthermore, The Times reports that the revival is progressing, with the regional government of Aragón preparing to open a new station later this year, despite the current pandemic challenges on the border. The French regional government in Bordeaux is also collaborating to create a line connecting to the new Spanish network.
Reports from El Periodico de Aragon suggest that the Modernista building could be converted into a hotel adjacent to the new station, enhancing the area’s tourism appeal.
Despite its current derelict state, Canfranc Station is not entirely inactive. Presently, two domestic freight trains operate daily between Canfranc and Zaragoza. The station has also garnered attention from tourists, drawing visitors for guided tours offered by the Canfranc tourist office, which explore the station and its underground bunkers.
