Hoofdstation concourse

Grand hall of lost footsteps

People dash from a crowded train onto the platform. Others move on from the city centre to catch a train. Then all falls quiet and you might not hear anything other than the sound of a child laughing. The grand station hall ensures the Hoofdstation Groningen main railway station is one of the most magnificent passenger buildings in the Netherlands.

Salle des pas perdus

Whether in the early morning or the late afternoon: no matter what time of day, you will see people looking up in the station, admiring the ceiling and impressive tile tableaux by Groningen artist F.H. Bach. The hall is a ‘salle des pas perdus’; literally a hall where footsteps fade away and are lost, referring to the hall acoustics as well as its function. This is and used to be a waiting area where people walk around to kill time and thus more or less uselessly move their feet.

The cathedral of the winged wheel

The station hall, also referred to as the ‘cathedral of the winged wheel’, is without doubt the reason why the Hoofdstation building is considered one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. The rest of the building, however, is also more than worth seeing. Groningen has had a station since 1866, and the current building was constructed in the late 19th century. Next to the Peerd van Ome Loeks sculpture on the Stadsbalkon, enjoy the beautiful view of the façade with its blend of Late Gothic adornments, rose windows and Renaissance gable ends.