São Bento Station is the railway station of the city centre of Porto, designed by the architect José Marques da Silva and opened on 5 October 1916. More than 20,000 blue and white tiles by the painter Jorge Colaço cover the walls of its entrance hall with scenes of the history of Portugal.
The station stands on the site of the Benedictine convent of São Bento de Avé-Maria and is part of the Historic Centre of Oporto, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What to see at São Bento Station
- Tile panels: more than 20,000 tiles by Jorge Colaço, painted between 1905 and 1908 and laid in the summer of 1915, covering the walls of the entrance hall.
- History scenes: the large panels show the Tournament of Arcos de Valdevez, Egas Moniz before King Afonso VII of León, the entry of King João I into Porto for his wedding to Filipa de Lencastre, and the conquest of Ceuta.
- Transport and rural life: a frieze near the ceiling shows the history of transport, and other panels show farm work and regional customs.
- Building: a U-shaped granite building with a façade of French influence, connected to Campanhã station by three tunnels.
History of São Bento Station
- 1896: the first trains reach the site from Campanhã, before any station building exists.
- From 1900: the convent of São Bento de Avé-Maria, empty since the death of its last nun in 1892, is demolished.
- 1903: construction of the station building begins to the design of Marques da Silva.
- 1905: Jorge Colaço presents his tile project to the railway company.
- Summer 1915: the tiles are laid in the entrance hall.
- 5 October 1916: the station is officially opened.
Visiting São Bento Station
- Location: the station faces Praça Almeida Garrett, between Avenida dos Aliados and the cathedral, a short walk from Porto Cathedral.
- Access: the entrance hall is a public space of the working station.
- Trains: São Bento is the departure station for the Minho line and for urban trains to Braga, Guimarães and Aveiro.
Places to visit in Porto
Porto, Portugal
Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Serra do Pilar
Palácio da Bolsa
Livraria Lello
Foz do Douro
Clérigos Church and Tower
Church of São Francisco
São Bento Station
Porto Cathedral
Serralves
Casa da Música
Bolhão Market
History of Porto
Visiting Porto