Photo: Paul-Henri Perrain, Radio Prague International
In this episode, we stop off at the Prague Main Railway Station, on line C, where Martin Karlík, our guide from Prague City Tourism, explains the curious underground tramway project that preceded plans for a metro.
Hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Railway Station) was among the first metro stations built in Prague. Those familiar with the Czech capital’s metro system may notice that the layout of the station is markedly different from its neighbour stations built around the same time – Florenc and Muzeum. At Hlavní nádraží, there is no central platform with tracks on either side. Instead, there are two platforms separated by the railway tracks. One might argue this is not very practical, given that most metro stations operate differently. What is the reason for the different layout of this station?
“The reason is very simple. The Hlavní nádraží metro station was originally built as an underground tram stop, which ultimately never saw the light of day. When construction work began, there were still discussions about running trams through the station. Once construction had begun, the project was changed to accommodate the metro. By then, however, it was too late to change the layout of Hlavní nádraží to match other metro stations. The station was somewhat of curiosity, but not anymore since in the 1990s, new stations were built in the Hlavní nádraží two-platform style. Interestingly, the oldest stations on the Prague metro network, Hlavní nádraží and Vyšehrad (then-Gottwaldova), are distinguished by their two-platform layout, where passengers exit on their right-hand side.”
See more here.
Paul-Henri Perrain,Fred Byrne