Mons railway station named one of world's most beautiful
Mons railway station, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, has been named one of the seven most beautiful stations in the world by Unesco's Prix Versailles. The list of winners includes striking structures in China, Australia, France and Saudi Arabia.
“With its airy style, clean lines, steel forms and brilliant white finish, Santiago Calatrava has once again showcased his artistry for this 165-metre-long cathedral-like footbridge that connects the historic centre to the south with the emerging Grands Prés district to the north,” the architecture prize jury said.
The jury also highlighted the station’s monumental gallery, described as a tribute to the Galerie de la Reine in Brussels. Its innovative design maintains a comfortable temperature even in winter. Inaugurated this year, the station joins other notable stations such as Gadigal in Sydney, Baiyun in Guangzhou and Qasr Al Hokm in Riyadh.
© BELGA VIDEO ERIC LALMAND
“The commitment these projects require, along with their technical and aesthetic achievements, honours the community of builders at the highest level. Already part of what will constitute the heritage of this century, these infrastructures redefine the role of mobility,” said Jérôme Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles.
Three of the seven stations will also receive a World Heritage Award on 4 December at Unesco headquarters.
Awarded annually by Unesco since 2015, the Prix Versailles celebrates exemplary achievements that combine aesthetics, efficiency and respect for heritage and the urban landscape.
History of transformation
Mons station opened in 1841 and has undergone several transformations reflecting the city’s growth and changing architectural styles. The original structure was replaced in 1874 by a neo-Romanesque building, which was heavily damaged during bombing in 1944 and later demolished.
"Santiago Calatrava has once again showcased his artistry for this 165m-long cathedral-like footbridge"
A new post-war station, inaugurated in 1952 and designed by architect René Panis, incorporated artworks by Belgian artists Jacques D’Hondt, Zéphyr Busine, Georges Boulmant and Raoul Godfroid.
This building remained in use until 2013, when it was closed and demolished to make way for a new station designed by Calatrava, who also designed the station in Liège.
The project was commissioned in 2006 and aimed better to connect the historic centre with the Grands Prés district. After years of delay and rising costs, the new station was completed and inaugurated in 2025.
© PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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