Barcelona ghost station has reopened to the public for the first time in over half a century, offering rare access to a forgotten piece of the city’s transport history. The historic Correos station welcomed its first visitors during overnight tours as part of Barcelona Metro’s centenary celebrations.
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Barcelona Ghost Station Preserved in Time
Located between Jaume I and Barceloneta stations, the Correos station closed permanently on 20 March 1972. Consequently, it has remained frozen in time for 53 years, complete with original advertising posters from the early 1970s. Furthermore, visitors can still see period advertisements for Canada Dry soft drinks and political campaign materials from the 1971 elections.
The station originally opened in 1934 as an extension of the Gran Metro line. Additionally, it served as the terminus for this early underground route. “Its construction was very difficult due to water infiltration from the nearby sea,” explained TMB representative Júlia Buixeda to the first visitors.
Access remains challenging even today. Visitors must walk 200 metres along the tracks from Jaume I station after the last metro has passed. Therefore, tours only occur during overnight hours when normal service has ceased. This creates what officials describe as an “exceptional” event due to the complex logistics involved.
Laia Bonet, Barcelona’s first deputy mayor, emphasised the historical significance during the inaugural visit. “We wanted to share this so citizens have this opportunity,” she stated. “Knowing the history of the metro means knowing the history of our city.”
The station measures 60 metres in length and features a substantial platform area. Moreover, it was among the first in Spain to install fluorescent lighting in 1946. Despite its advanced features for the time, proximity to neighbouring stations ultimately led to its closure.
Public interest has been overwhelming. Thousands attempted to secure tickets when registration opened in September, temporarily overwhelming TMB’s website. Only 450 fortunate visitors will experience these exclusive tours during October and November.
Arnau Vergés, one of the first visitors, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity. “It’s remained intact for 50 years, making it valuable for its history,” he remarked. “This is especially true for people from the new millennium who haven’t experienced it.”
Marcos Casebonne described the experience as “quite unique” while noting the station’s historical construction methods. “It’s work that was done with pick and shovel,” he observed. “We’d all like this public heritage to open more often.”
The Correos station even enjoyed cinematic fame, featuring in the 1950 police film ‘Apartado de Correos 1001’. Directed by Juli Salvador, this production helped establish Barcelona’s film noir tradition and has since gained cult status.
TMB plans to extend these historical opportunities to other forgotten stations. The organisation will soon offer 1,000 additional places to visit the Gaudí ghost station. Registration for these spots will remain open for several days, with places allocated by lottery.
This Barcelona ghost station initiative forms part of broader centenary celebrations for the city’s metro system. These events aim to connect residents with transport heritage that has shaped Barcelona’s development throughout the past century.
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