Portugal Guide: São Bento Railway Station

São Bento Railway Station

Address | Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal

On one of our first walks in Porto we were drawn into the São Bento Railway Station in passing due to the outstanding blue tile ceramic art that is visible through the entry. When we later took an electric tuk tuk tour of Porto we learned that the story of the the colorful frieze that frames the top of the main hall is one that tells the history of transport from cattle to steam rail. Below the frieze you’ll find compositions in the classic blue and white tiles that depict different moments of Portugals history.

While our guide was a good storyteller that brought each scene to life, if you are visiting on your own familiarize yourself with the stories in the scenes beforehand to make the experience more enchanting. Another story our guide told us was the legend of the haunting of the São Bento Railway Station. Prior to being the site of the railway station a convent existed here. When in 1834 Portugal extinguished all the religious orders, all male orders were immediately terminated. On the other hand, not wanting to turn women to the streets, nuns were permitted to continue in convent life until the last who had professed their vows prior to the 1834 order of termination were deceased. It wasn’t until 1892 that the last nun of the Benedictine nuns of Ave Maria died which allowed the construction of São Bento train station. Now it is said that her spirit has refused to leave and the nun still roams the corridors of Sao Bento Station.

Full disclosure, we had no ghostly encounters! Fun fact for us, Jorge Colaço, placed the first tiles on August 13 1905 which is also our wedding anniversary (just a different year!).

Whether it is on a tour or as you are walking through Porto, be sure to stop into São Bento Railway Station for a look at the beautiful tile artwork.