Luz Station and Square, Sao Paulo

Estação da Luz (Luz Station) is a railway station and a major landmark of Sao Paulo, extended over 7,500 square meters, in the Luz neighborhood. The original station was commissioned in 1867, and was built by Baron de Maua. Later, it was decided that the station be reconstructed, so, from 1895 until 1900, the refurbishment was underway.

The new building was designed by English architect, Charles Henry Driver, in a neoclassical style, resembling both the Big Ben and Westminster Abbey in London. The materials and assembling pieces were imported from England, France and Scotland. Standing 150 feet long and 50 meters high, the new Estação da Luz was inaugurated on 1 March 1901. The station became a passageway for immigrants, as well as a shelter for military troops during war years.

The strategic importance, attached to the station, lasted until the end of World War II. In 1946, the building was partially destroyed by fire. Restoration works continued until 1951, during which the station was added another floor and a central platform to be used by subway trains. The station also houses the Linguistic Museum of the Portuguese Language, which holds several exhibitions on the national language, as well as offers trainings, lectures, and consultations for linguists and teachers.

The Jardim da Luz square in front of Luz station was a meeting point for São Paulo's high society in the early 20th century. When the coffee barons started moving out of downtown, the region entered into different stages of decay. During a big part of the 20th century, Jardim da Luz passed through a period of severe degradation, serving as a zone of prostitution and drug trafficking. The state government has since revitalized the central region of the city through a series of reforms, including installation of sculptures in the park, a remodel of the Pinacoteca do Estado, and increased police supervision of the area.