Estacao Julio Prestes, Sao Paulo

Estacao Julio Prestes, Sao Paulo

Julio Prestes Station (Estacao Julio Prestes), situated in the vibrant Luz neighborhood, is a cherished historical site in the city. Beyond its role as a transportation hub, this remarkable railway station also serves as a captivating tourist attraction. The original construction of the station was finalized in 1875, prompted by the thriving coffee trade that compelled the government of Sao Paulo province to construct the Sorocabana railroad. As the first and primary station along this route, Julio Prestes Station played a pivotal role.

In 1925, architect Cristiano Stockler das Neves undertook a renovation project inspired by the iconic Grand Central Station in New York. This ambitious endeavor spanned 12 years, reaching completion in 1938. The new structure spanned an impressive 215 meters in length and stood 26 meters tall, covering a vast area of 25,000 square meters. Notably, a unique feature of this building is that a section of its platform was constructed using the framework of a German Zeppelin that had flown over Sao Paulo during that era.

Following the decline of the coffee trade, the station's strategic significance waned. From 1949 to 1983, it served as the headquarters for DOPS, the Department of Social and Political Order, a Brazilian security agency tasked with suppressing opposition during the military junta regime. However, in 1999, after 18 months of renovations, Julio Prestes Station was partially transformed into the splendid São Paulo Hall ( Sala São Paulo), which now serves as the home of the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra. Remarkably, despite these adaptations, the train station has continued to operate to this day.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sao Paulo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Estacao Julio Prestes on Map

Sight Name: Estacao Julio Prestes
Sight Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil (See walking tours in Sao Paulo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Sao Paulo, Brazil

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