<strong>New life for abandoned station</strong>: The atmospheric Canfranc Station, in the municipality of Canfranc in northeastern Spain -- dates back to 1928 but has stood abandoned since 1970.
New life for abandoned station: The atmospheric Canfranc Station, in the municipality of Canfranc in northeastern Spain -- dates back to 1928 but has stood abandoned since 1970.
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<strong>If walls could speak:</strong> During the Second World War, Canfranc station witnessed Nazi arrests, espionage and gold trafficking.
If walls could speak: During the Second World War, Canfranc station witnessed Nazi arrests, espionage and gold trafficking.
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<strong>New lease of life?</strong>: It's fallen into ruin over the years, but Spanish officials are now hoping to renovate the station and breathe new life into Canfranc.
New lease of life?: It's fallen into ruin over the years, but Spanish officials are now hoping to renovate the station and breathe new life into Canfranc.
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<strong>Natural beauty: </strong>The town of Canfranc is known for its beautiful scenery, but the atmospheric station is a draw for photographers. "Even though it is almost in ruins, it brings a lot of visitors," Mayor of Canfranc, Fernando Sánchez Morales, tells CNN Travel.
Natural beauty: The town of Canfranc is known for its beautiful scenery, but the atmospheric station is a draw for photographers. "Even though it is almost in ruins, it brings a lot of visitors," Mayor of Canfranc, Fernando Sánchez Morales, tells CNN Travel.
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<strong>Wartime woe</strong>: Canfranc was the only Spanish municipality occupied by the Nazis -- and they made their presence felt, according to Ramón Javier Campo Fraile, the acclaimed writer behind the project <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldo.es%2Fespeciales%2Fcanfranc%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">heraldo.es/canfranc</a>.
Wartime woe: Canfranc was the only Spanish municipality occupied by the Nazis -- and they made their presence felt, according to Ramón Javier Campo Fraile, the acclaimed writer behind the project heraldo.es/canfranc.
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<strong>Arrests and gold trafficking:</strong> Campo Fraile says more than 300 people were arrested fleeing in Canfranc. "The Germans controlled the traffic of gold, wolfram and they also lowered the French flag."
Arrests and gold trafficking: Campo Fraile says more than 300 people were arrested fleeing in Canfranc. "The Germans controlled the traffic of gold, wolfram and they also lowered the French flag."
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<strong>Stolen gold</strong>: Evidence suggests that 86 tonnes of Nazi gold passed through the station between 1942 and 1943, according to Campo Fraile.
Stolen gold: Evidence suggests that 86 tonnes of Nazi gold passed through the station between 1942 and 1943, according to Campo Fraile.
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<strong>Future plans: </strong>Plans are now afoot to renovate the station. "Every day we hear more feedback saying that this railways line is necessary and needs to be reopened," says Sánchez Morales. "We are working on a project that will change Canfranc."
Future plans: Plans are now afoot to renovate the station. "Every day we hear more feedback saying that this railways line is necessary and needs to be reopened," says Sánchez Morales. "We are working on a project that will change Canfranc."
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<strong>Big dreams: </strong>The plans include building a new station and converting the original building into a hotel. "We are fighting to create a big tourism complex, and also to open the line for international travel soon," says Sánchez Morales.
Big dreams: The plans include building a new station and converting the original building into a hotel. "We are fighting to create a big tourism complex, and also to open the line for international travel soon," says Sánchez Morales.
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<strong>Living history</strong>: This regeneration would put Canfranc firmly on the map -- and allow more people to become aware of the region's role in 20th century history.
Living history: This regeneration would put Canfranc firmly on the map -- and allow more people to become aware of the region's role in 20th century history.
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