The first time I passed through the Liege train station, I was stunned. I looked out my train window and saw curved iron beams, symmetry, and bright sunlight – unlike any train station in Europe I had ever been to.
For me, training it through Europe was not just about the trains but about the train stations. Train stations in Europe evoke this old world feel offering gorgeous silhouettes lighting and open spaces. I always feel as if I have stepped back in time when I’m in a European train station – we really don’t have anything like it in the US. However the Liege, Belgium station was unusual – it was modern, sleek, and bright thanks to architect Santiago Calatrava. He literally gave an ancient city a new look. And I’m excited to say that Calatrava also designed a futuristic train station, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, at the rebuilt World Trade Center in New York City.
I made sure that as I passed through Liege again 2 months later this time I would get out to take some proper photos.
This wasn’t the first time I had been mesmerized by Calatrava’s architecture – I was introduced to him in Valencia, Spain.
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
