La incorporación del hierro a la construcción en Alicante: La llegada del ferrocarril a la ciudad

Abstract

In the second half of the nineteenth century, railway stations developed new building systems, with iron as the main component. The covering of large open spaces over the platforms was required as a new structural challenge. In Spain, Alicante was the first maritime city with a rail line connected with Madrid. Factors such as the importance of the port, its proximity to the capital and the favorable topography of the land were decisive in their choice. On 25 May 1858 the line was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. Three decades later, Andalusian station connecting with the South was built. It has now been restored and is the seat of the House of the Mediterranean. This article shows the origins of these two buildings, which have been preserved structural systems that were designed over 150 years ago.