In 1852 Valencia saw the inauguration of its first railway station with a 6 km long track that connected downtown with the Gao harbor area on the east coast.

In the following years the railway network expanded quickly creating the need for a new and larger station.

 

Construction started in 1907 and in 1917 the new Estation del Norte came into service. The station was built in a local  modernist style and used brand new technologies like a huge iron canopy with a central nave to vent away the exhaust of the mighty steam locomotives.

 

The building is decorated with colorful glazed ceramic tiles and mosaics inspired by Valencian culture, depicting flowers, oranges and regional motifs and scenes.

 

Above the central entrance with shields of Valencia and the railway company an eagle sits on top of the world, depicting speed.

 

In the entrance hall with its richly decorated columns the original wooden ticket-booths are still in use.

 

The highlight is the old cafetaria, now called the Hall of Mosiacs with its walls and ceiling covered with mosiacs of Valencian scenes.