Prague’s Holešovice district has a striking new landmark: the rebuilt Praha–Bubny railway station, now open to trains and passengers after a complete reconstruction. The light-filled, spacious structure replaces the 1920s original, marking a major step in modernising the capital’s western rail connections — including future links to Václav Havel Airport and the city of Kladno.
The new station, measuring an impressive 250 by 50 metres, is built from reinforced concrete and features roof windows that flood the interior with natural light. In a unique design twist, the platforms are fully enclosed within the building itself — a rarity in Czechia. As Jiří Svoboda, director of the railway administration, notes: “The train goes into the building and not along the building. That’s what makes it unique, including its roofing.”
More Than a Station
The opening of Praha–Bubny is part of a wider transformation of Prague’s rail network. A newly built stop for the Výstaviště exhibition grounds is set to open, while trains now run on a modernised track section that includes nearly a kilometre of elevated rail on pillars. This raised route reconnects parts of Holešovice, passing over Nicholas Winton Street and improving access for pedestrians and cyclists.
The 5.5 billion crown (€225 million) project will eventually include an underpass linking Letná with lower Holešovice, making it easier for locals to cross the long station without detours.
Preserving the Past While Building the Future
The 1923 station building will remain, preserved as the Bubny Centre for Remembrance and Dialogue. This new cultural space will honour the site’s tragic history as the place where Prague’s Jews were assembled before deportation during the Holocaust. The centre will record testimonies, share educational exhibits, and foster dialogue.
With its proximity to Vltavská metro and tram stops, the new Praha–Bubny station strengthens Prague’s position as a rail hub — delivering both modern convenience and a poignant reminder of histo
Photo: https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/
