A stunning railway station in Mons, Belgium, designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, has been recognized with the prestigious Versailles Prize for its exceptional architectural design. The 165-meter-long cathedral-like pedestrian bridge connects the historic city center to the south with the emerging Grands Prés district to the north, showcasing Calatrava's signature aerial style with clean lines, steel forms, and brilliant white surfaces.
The Versailles Prize, awarded annually since 2015 at UNESCO, praised the station for multiple architectural qualities beyond its striking bridge design. The judges highlighted the building's monumental gallery, which pays homage to the Queen's Gallery in Brussels, and its innovative design that maintains comfortable temperatures even during winter months. The Mons station, which was inaugurated earlier this year, demonstrates how modern transportation infrastructure can blend functionality with artistic excellence.
The Belgian station joins an elite group of prestigious railway stations in this year's ranking, including Gadigal Station in Sydney, Australia, Baiyun Station in Canton, China, and Qasr Al Hokm Station. These international projects represent the highest standards of contemporary railway architecture, combining cutting-edge engineering with aesthetic innovation. The diverse geographical representation underscores the global nature of excellence in transportation design.
Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Versailles Prize, emphasized the significance of these architectural achievements in honoring the building community. "The commitment that these works require, the technical and aesthetic prowess honor the community of builders at the highest level," Gouadain stated. He noted that these infrastructures are already establishing themselves as part of this century's architectural heritage while renewing the role devoted to mobility in urban environments.
Three stations from the 2025 list will receive additional recognition on December 4th at UNESCO Headquarters, where they will be awarded World Titles including the Versailles Prize, Interior Award, and Exterior Award. This ceremony will celebrate the finest examples of transportation architecture from around the globe. Each year, the Versailles Prize recognizes exemplary achievements across various fields that successfully combine aesthetics, efficiency, and commitment to heritage and urban landscape preservation.
