Naples Metro, University Station: when studying means visiting the city

The University station on Line 1 of the Naples Metro is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful in the city, alongside Toledo station, voted the most beautiful in Europe.

by Alessia Giannino

It was opened on 26 March 2011 and designed by architect Alessandro Mendini and designer Karim Rashid.

The stop is called, as mentioned, “Università” (University) because it lies in the university district and is used every day by thousands of students making their way to their faculties. The station is also very close to the port area: indeed, it gives access to Via Colombo, Via Marina, Via Depretis and the famous Corso Umberto.

The structure

The "Università" station lies 30 metres underground and can be reached via two staircases, one in front of the Palazzo della Borsa (Stock Exchange Building) and the other on the opposite pavement, where a lift is also available.

One of its distinctive features is the tiles, on which recently invented words are written, although what draws the most attention are the colours and the striking panels that catch commuters' eyes: the two dominant tones are acid green and fuchsia, one for each platform, where the walls are also lined with panels featuring three-dimensional stereoscopic effects. Already on the level where tickets are bought and validated, you can admire the sculptures designed by Rashid, including the Synapsi, which evokes the neural network of the brain and foreshadows the dominant motif of the levels below.

Another peculiarity is the two black columns, called “conversational profile”, shaped like a continuous human profile. On the steps leading down to the platforms we can also spot the colourful depictions of Dante and Beatrice.

The station is certainly one of the most distinctive in Naples, cared for down to the smallest detail. In 2011, indeed, it won the international “Emirates Leaf International Award” in London, given every year to projects showing great innovation in the field of design and architecture worldwide.