Stunning abandoned train stations from all over the world. Part 1.

There are many amazing train stations in the world where travelers arrive. Each is a landmark of the city and a center of attraction for tourists. Even if they have been abandoned for a long time, railway stations attract lovers of railways, abandoned buildings or connoisseurs of unusual sights. Let's plunge into the world of amazing train stations that have not been functioning for a long time, but they are still remembered.

Canfranc International Railway Station, Spain

Once the second largest railway station in Europe. Canfranc International Train Station is located high in the Pyrenees Mountains in a small Spanish village on the border with France. It was jointly owned by the two countries and enjoyed great fame until financial difficulties and war overtook it. The station finally closed in the 1970s after a train derailed and crashed into a bridge. The luxurious building was abandoned and began to slowly collapse.

The official opening of the station in 1928 was attended by the King of Spain and the President of France, and the attraction was known as the "Titanic of the Mountains". But he has a chequered history. It was a key hub for transporting many Jews to freedom during World War II. However, when the Nazis took control of the Canfranc Municipal station from 1942 to 1944, they reportedly used it to smuggle looted gold.

Today, the ruins of the dilapidated railway station and its beautiful mountainous terrain have become a popular tourist destination with excursions available with social distancing rules. It was also recently bought by the local government in Aragon, and major plans are being developed to restore Canfranc to its former glory as a luxury hotel with a functioning railway.

Michigan Central Railway Station, Detroit, USA

Since its opening in 1913, this huge train station has towered over Detroit's historic Corktown neighborhood. But in recent decades it has become a symbol of the decline of the city. The former intercity passenger train depot was built for the Michigan Central Railroad, but after Amtrak finally stopped using this station, it was closed in the late 1980s and left empty. After its closure, the building was severely damaged and began to deteriorate over the years.

The majestic architecture of Detroit's famous ruins has been used as a backdrop for numerous films, including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The 18-story landmark was designed by Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem, who also designed New York Central Station. The Detroit Terminal once had gleaming marble floors, high vaulted ceilings and ornate tiles.

However, echoes of its grandiose interior still remain. Ford has announced that its plans include the reconstruction of the Large Lobby of the former train station for public use.

Anhalt Railway Station, Berlin, Germany

A striking example of railway architecture. The once large and elaborate Anhalter Bahnhof Station is located southeast of Potsdamer Platz. Opened in 1841, it was the Berlin terminus of a line that ran to Juterbog, and then to Dessau, Keten and beyond. Today, people pass by the remains of the station, strolling through the park located next to the modern station of the Anhalter Bahnhof S-Bahn.

The station is known to have been used to transport thousands of Jews to concentration camps during World War II. It was badly damaged during the war and finally closed in 1952. Today, only parts of the facade of the station have been preserved, but they give an idea of the former beauty of the building and are a sharp reminder of the city's past. The intricate sculptures on top of the building are one of its most striking features.

Union Station, Indiana, USA

Now left in disrepair, this still impressive train station is located in Gary, Indiana. Built in 1910 in the classic Bozar style, just a few years after the founding of the city, the station was used mainly to help the booming steel industry. The station served several major railway lines, but was closed in the 1950s when the local industry declined.

The exterior of the station remains remarkably intact, but the interior, including its once majestic hall, has been gutted and destroyed. There are several other notable ruins in Gary, including the city's Methodist Church, each of which speaks of the city's fall from a thriving center of industry.

Katsov Station, Czech Republic

This picturesque railway station can be seen in the small town of Katsov in the Central Czech Republic. The abandoned station building, although abandoned, has great charm. It has even been used as a filming location for films such as the 2001 Czech drama Dark Blue World.

Gudauta, Abkhazia

Abkhazia, a disputed territory on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, has several abandoned railway stations, including in Gudauta. The dilapidated but beautiful railway station was created in Soviet times and has not been used since the early 1990s.

Despite overgrown platforms and railway tracks, a worn-out exterior and a fading interior, this abandoned station still retains a little of its former grandeur. Some of the ornate details of the station, including its carved arches, are still visible inside the ruined building. Local residents are striving to restore its former glory, and development work to repair the roof continues.

Psyrtskha Railway Station, Abkhazia

The dilapidated Psyrtskha railway station in New Athos, overlooking the lake and surrounded by mountains, is another stunning stop in Abkhazia that has been left to fade away. Although the station is abandoned, the surrounding tracks are still in use.

Inside, some of the glass windows are broken, the wooden panels are damaged, but the ceiling remains intact. Today, the station has become something of a magnet for photographers seeking to capture the unique shape of the pavilion.

These are not all train stations that attract travelers from all over the world. Continued in the next article.