When someone ask what heritage means, the first thing that comes to your mind are monuments, museums, statues, and overall historical sites.

But not for us.

When our teacher asked to think about what heritage meant, we wanted to make sure we talked about what is close to us, something we can see every day, something that´s important for us since we were children, appreciating every own memory and stories that we have been told for years.

That´s exactly why we chose the Metro, and selected some of it´s historical stations. Almost everyone uses it every day, but they don´t stop thinking about its history and what it represents enough.

Among the different stops we have chosen: Ópera, Atocha, Pacifico, Iglesia (Chamberí).

Our first stop was the station of Ópera, one of the most historical metro stops in Madrid. It’s right in Plaza de Isabel II, steps away from the famous Teatro Real. The station connects Lines 2, 5, and the Ramal to Príncipe Pío, so it’s super handy for getting around. 

What makes Ópera really special is the Museum inside the station, called Caños del Peral. You can see real 17th-century remains of an aqueduct that used to bring water to the Royal Palace.

Our second stop was the station of Atocha, it has one of the sadest histories of Madrid. In March 2004, a terrorist group called Al Qaeda attented this station, leaving 193 deads. Nowadays, Atocha remains as a memorial to all the victims.

After, we went to Pacifico station. Pacifico has an engine ship that generated electric energy to move the train during the first half of the 20th century. It was built by Antonio Palacios and nowadays, you can still visit this emblematic piece in the museum.

This station was created so the railway workers could get more easily to their job, as this neighborhood was full of industries and companies.

As many stations, it was used as a shelter during the spanish civil war, protecting thousands of people thank to its location. It wasn´t made with this intention, but it was one of the most important shelters in Madrid.The last stop was Chamberí. Have you ever wondered what the metro was like a century ago?

Well, here’s the answer. This is an old station that closed in 1966 but it’s famous for maintaining the same as when it closed, remaining as a museum nowadays.

During the 1950s, someone told that a crime was committed here. A priest and a nun threw a girl onto the train tracks after being discovered in a relationship. The girl cursed the Chamberí station and appears when the anniversary of her death approaches.