Broken and missing panes in the exterior vaults of Barcelona’s França Station are letting wind and rain into its interior, according to photographs shared by a reader with La Vanguardia. The windows are awaiting restoration and replacement.
The exterior glazing is separate from the station’s decorative interior stained glass, which adorns the vaulted spaces above its platforms. The damaged windows vary in quality and translucent colour, while some are absent from their frames altogether.
The station, also known as Barcelona Término, opened in 1929 in connection with the Universal Exhibition. It was built on the site of an earlier railway station that began operating in 1854. Engineer Eduardo Maristany led the project, with architects Pedro Muguruza, Raimundo Duran and Pelayo Martínez among those who contributed.
The building has undergone several renovations over the years, with continued use, age and damage from the Spanish Civil War cited as reasons. It remains in service for regional and commuter trains, though it was originally designed for major European express services. In the 1960s, it also received trains carrying people who migrated from areas with limited prospects; some were popularly known as the Transmiseriano or the Xangai Express.
The reader’s account calls for a full restoration, including replacement of the exterior glass, to improve the station’s appearance and protect its interior from the elements.
Sources: La Vanguardia.