Estación de Atocha is one of the most curious places in Madrid!
You're in Plaza Emperador Carlos V, which the people of Madrid usually call Plaza de Atocha. On the right, from above, you can admire this historic station's original façade. The Atocha Station was built in the mid-1800s when the capital's first railway line was inaugurated; it went from Madrid to Aranjuez and was almost exclusively used by Queen Isabel II and her entourage.
When the pavilion was destroyed by one of the many fires that so often tear through Madrid, it was replaced by a new station that was inaugurated in 1892 with the name South Station. It had a great main vault that was over 150 meters long and was supported by an impressive iron structure.
In 1992, exactly a century after the first inauguration and after extensive renovations, the station was reborn for a new purpose along with the first streamlined high-speed train that left for Seville, where the Universal Expo was being held.
Now pause the audio and go to the station's ground level.
No, you're not seeing a mirage or an optical illusion: the ground floor where you now stand is dominated by a striking iron and crystal vault that houses and protects a real tropical garden. If you want to look at this entire unexpected wonder, I recommend going up the first flight of stairs until you reach the sculpture depicting a "sales agent".
FUN FACT: the station's botanical garden contains about 7000 tropical plants wrapped in clouds of moisture, including thousands of turtles that quietly rest or swim in the surrounding murky waters.
Language: English