One of our favorites is London’s San Pancras International Station, home to the Eurostar (fast train) since 2007.
The castle-like gothic structure was the largest station in the world when it opened in 1865. Time took its toll and over the decades it fell into disrepair, coming close to demolition in the 1960’s. A group of visionaries should be thanked for saving it.
Work in recent years has transformed it into a Grand Dame of rail stations – a destination in itself with: a new Marriott Renaissance Hotel (opened in the station this year), and nearly 70 retail outlets, restaurants and pubs – my favorite: it’s home to Europe’s longest champagne bar (90 meters/270 feet).
Friends told us not to miss the statue in the Train Shed’s south end – and that would have been hard to do. It’s a 20-ton, 30-foot-tall (9 meters) statue, “The Meeting Place” by British artist Paul Day.
The two young lovers are so overwhelming that what you could miss are the stories told in the designs that circle the base of the piece. We both got a chuckle, though, after Joel noticed this one:
Explore other destinations from around the world through travel photos, by clicking the link to Budget Travelers Sandbox, Nancie McKinnon’s blog where this all began.
Lovely pictures :)
ReplyDeleteSt Pancras is such a busy station that in the rush one tends to overlook these "ornaments" in the station.They are rather interesting though, if one takes the time to look closer.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely building. I was there earlier but was rushing and didn't have time for photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to this train station but it does look great. I too really like train stations!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece of public art.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for visiting. I agree with Michael that sometimes in the rush of getting somewhere we overlook the ornaments (like the wonderful drain pipe photos he provided of Paris). I have to admit we looked at the statue on a trip to the station the day before our train trip; we'd have missed this had we not been doing a trial run. Makes me wonder how much we have missed along the way. . .
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Love that statue. I'm sure the Marriott here would be outstanding.
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