Europaplein
52- Opened
- 22 July 2018
- Level
- Underground
- District
- Zuid
- Line
- 52
Where does the name come from?
The station lies beneath the Europaplein, the square in front of the RAI's main entrance. The sources consulted do not explain the square's name.
The story
A love story with a dark twist by the RAI
Europaplein is the shallowest station on the North/South Line, with platforms about 8 metres down. It is also the only station on the line built by the cut-and-cover method, from above in an open pit. Unlike the deep city-centre stations, here you can simply take the stairs.
Both entrances are right in front of the main entrance of the RAI. The exhibition and convention centre moved to the Europaplein in 1961, when Prince Bernhard opened the new complex with the Europahal at its heart: 195 metres long and without a single column. Amsterdam RAI railway station is within walking distance.
Architect Jan Benthem later described the station as spectacularly simple, simpler even than his firm had imagined. The artwork is a photo collage by Gerald van der Kaap running the full length of both platforms. The images in the glass walls tell of a romantic encounter with a dark undertone: the story is based on the Greek myth of the abduction of Europa.
The RAI has been on the Europaplein since 1961; its Europahal was 195 metres long without a single column.
Sources (4)
Comments
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