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going underground

These are the 17 most beautiful metro stations around the world

Some are works of art.

IN COUNTRIES AROUND the world, public transportation systems have been transformed into stunning spaces.

With grand chandeliers, architectural designs, and light projections, these metro stations will make your commute anything but boring.

We’ve put together a collection of the most awe-striking metro stations around the globe, from the Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to the chandelier-filled Komsomolskaya in Moscow, Russia.

Inside the Formosa Boulevard Station of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is a 4,500-panel glass artwork by Narcissus Quangliata that is said to be the largest glasswork in the world. Thanks to the stunning kaleidoscope effects of the piece, the area has actually been proposed as a venue for weddings.

DOME OF LIGHT/光之穹頂 Hsiung / d6478coke Hsiung / d6478coke / d6478coke

The Toledo station in Naples, Italy, also stands as a stunning wonderland thanks to the artwork of Robert Wilson, called “Light Panels,” that illuminates the station corridor. With a depth of 164 feet, it’s one of the deepest stations in Naples.

Italy Green Naples Associated Press Associated Press

Look up at the stunning ceiling of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, which also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest railway station by number of platforms with a whopping total of 44 and a secret one that is said to be below the Waldorf Astoria.

Grand Central Centennial Associated Press Associated Press

The Komsomolskaya station in Moscow, Russia, is a Neoclassical-inspired station designed by Dmitry Chechulin. Inside are chandeliers and ceilings that resemble those found in grand ballrooms and mosaics inspired by a famous wartime speech given by Stalin.

Komsomolskaya geltokia Xabier Eskisabel Xabier Eskisabel

Get lost in the imaginary world of Jules Verne at the Arts Et Métiers Station in Paris, France, which was designed by comic artist François Schuiten and includes copper walls lined with submarine-style windows and giant gears that hang from the ceiling.

M11_-_Station_Arts_&_Metiers Emmanuel BROEKS Emmanuel BROEKS

Dubai is known for its opulence, and its Khalid Bin Al Waleed Station is no exception. Massive chandeliers in the shapes of glowing jellyfish dangle from its ceilings to cast a blue glow over the station, which also holds images of traditional pearl divers.

shutterstock_232062037 Shutterstock / Philip Lange Shutterstock / Philip Lange / Philip Lange

The Wesfriedhof Station in Munich, Germany, was designed by Ingo Mauer and includes 11 large concave lamps that fill the space with captivating lights.

Westfriedhof U-Bahn platform in Munich, Germany transitpeople transitpeople

The Atocha Train Station in Madrid, Spain, is the city’s largest and includes steel and glass construction blended with tropical gardens throughout its concourse. While waiting for your train, view the station’s display of sculptures.

34 Meteo Marco Meteo Marco

Over 90 of the subway stations in Stockholm, Sweden, have been decorated with sculptures, mosaics, paintings, and installations by artists. One of them is the Stadion station, which was decorated by artists Enno Hallek and Ake Pallarp and includes a vibrant rainbow painting that lines the arches.

Stockholm - Tunnelbana - Stadion IngolfBLN IngolfBLN

Stockholm is also home to the Kungsträdgården metro station, which houses the relics of the old Stockholm Makalös palace and hosts an impressive industrial-looking design.

Kungsträdgården metro station Arild Vågen Arild Vågen

Finally in Stockholm, there’s the T-Centralen station, which might not look like anything out of the ordinary from the outside, but once you step inside you’ll come across bright blue and white cave-like platforms that transform the space.

Finally in Stockholm, there’s the T-Centralen station, which might not look like anything out of the ordinary from the outside, but once you step inside you’ll come across bright blue and white cave-like platforms that transform the space.

Train at T-Centralen station in Stockholm, Sweden transitpeople transitpeople

The Avtovo metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is lined with chandeliers located at the center of the walking areas and on the station platforms, ornaments decorated with Laurel branches, marble columns, stately mosaics, and historical memorials.

shutterstock_272677544 Shutterstock / Anton Kudelin Shutterstock / Anton Kudelin / Anton Kudelin

The Park Pobedy Station in Moscow, Russia, is also stunning with its stained glass, floor-to-ceiling marble structures, cavernous ceilings, and some of the longest escalators in Europe, each stretching 413 feet.

Metro art at Park Pobedy Bernt Rostad Bernt Rostad

The Zoloti Vorota in Kiev, Ukraine, was created through a series of artists who filled the station with intricate mosaics along its columns and surfaces. It also hosts chandeliers with candle-shaped lighting to create an elegant space.

Zoloti Vorota Metro Station M1key.me M1key.me

Albeit being a tourist attraction rather than a station, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai, China, takes passengers though an underground ride underneath the Huangpu River and includes amazing audio-visual effects.

Electric Dreams III trioptikmal trioptikmal

The entrance of the Palais Royal at the Musee du Louvre in Paris, France, is adorned with the artwork of Jean-Michel Othoniel, which intertwines colored beads to form a beautiful design.

shutterstock_208791841 Shutterstock / Kiev.Victor Shutterstock / Kiev.Victor / Kiev.Victor

The Mayakovskaya metro station in Moscow, Russia, is considered to be one of the most beautiful. The station is decorated with marble, stainless steel, and lamps hidden inside oval niches on the ceiling with small panels designed by artist Aleksandr Deyneka.

Moscow Metro platform at the Mayakovskaya station transitpeople transitpeople

Read: Does Dublin ‘urgently’ need Dart Underground? >

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