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The Union Station is the main Railway Station in Washington. It was
constructed between 1907 and 1908 and would remain the main gateway to the
capital of the United States for more than 40 years. Daniel Burnham
designed a beautiful grand building in the Beaux-Arts style. At an
impressive 182m long, the building was the largest train station in the
world. The central archway, based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome
leads to the main hall with a high barrel-vaulted ceiling. The coffered
ceiling was decorated with gold leaf. But with the decline of trains,
the building had deteriorated greatly and was in danger of demolition. In
1981 a venture was set up to restore the building. The beautifully
restored Union Station finally reopened in 1988. Besides serving as
a train station it has become a popular place for shopping and dining.
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