Canfranc station

International tensions, secret Nazi gold, Jew escape route, French sabotage, abandonment, failed rebirth as a luxury Japanese hotel and back to normality...  Canfranc train station has seen much more than that.

Canfranc is about 15 minutes from Jaca (90 min from Zaragoza) and in order to get to the station you need to book a guided tour (by phone or in the tourism info) for 3 euro. Right now, two rails of the station are operating, making it possible to make it here by train. 

Located in a deep valley bordering France, Canfranc train station was built in the beginning of XX century to work as an international modern border with France. Due to its unique location, it saw a lot of historical and political action, especially in World War 2. You can read more about it here.
​
In the early 2000s the station was emptied from the inside in order to change the interior for making it a luxury Japanese hotel, but political scandal stopped that and now the government is supporting its slow reconstruction towards its XX century glory. 

Also in Canfranc, there is a nice hike over the mountain that overlook the station, called the bunker trail, which follows WW2 Spanish fortifications that prevented from possible invasion from Germany. In addition, there are XIX century fortifications in nearby villages in both sides of the border. 

Close to it there are many interesting places to see, so you can add it to your list if you spend a weekend in the Pyrenees!