Can you see the forest for the trees? Calatrava Gare do Orient train station

Sunday, October 27, 2019                                                                               Lisbon

A canopy of steel columns overhead at Lisbon's  Gare do Orient train station

Next stop on the way out of Lisbon is the nearby Gare do Orient (Orient train station), which serves as the main entrance for travelers heading in and out of Lisbon by train and bus.  It was designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava.  The maritime theme of the Expo 98 is mirrored in the station’s design – wavelike beams at the entrance.  It has two levels – a ground level, for busses, shops, etc – which is more organic and enclosed, and the upper level, for the metro and trains, which is like ascending up into a forest of trees.

Calatrava's design is especially pleasing when viewed from a distance

The lower level, for busses and transfers, is organic with curvilinear repeating elements

As you ascend to the train station platform on the upper level, you are presented with a light and airy, soaring space

This particular train had colorful and appealing graffiti

Next train departing for Madrid....

As we finished our last stop in Lisbon, we are now off to the Alentego region, to eventually make it to Evora and our Pousada do Loios.  But first we will stop in a small village, Monsaraz, for lunch, and will stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting.