The Maliebaan station in Utrecht has existed for 150 years and this is being celebrated with a new exhibition

The Maliebaan station celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. The iconic building in Utrecht is now known as the entrance to the Railway Museum, but has had various functions over the years. The anniversary year will be celebrated with a new exhibition, looking back at the construction, the station over the years and the people who lived and worked there.

Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg- Maatschappij opened the Maliebaan station in Utrecht on June 10, 1874. In the exhibition ‘Maliebaan station 150 years’ the museum looks back on the long history. It was the place where Utrecht residents could board the train to Paris, but also the place where Utrecht Jews were deported to the camps. A rich history that you can learn about in the new exhibition.

Protests

The choice of location for the station caused a lot of protest at the time. The station was located in the middle of a park and local residents felt that this was at the expense of the walking area. They were also afraid of nuisance from the noise of the trains. In addition, the KNMI at Sonneborgh was afraid of the disruption of the measuring equipment and the director of the nearby prison feared that the detainees would make escape plans.

Still, the station came and it flourished. The station enjoyed international fame and became an important boarding point for a direct train to Paris. These heydays came to an end and the station closed its doors to travelers in 1939. However, the station was still used as a freight station.

A black page

The Germans took over the Maliebaan station during the Second World War. This marks a black page in the station’s history. From here, Utrecht Jews were deported directly to Westerbork.

After the war, the Maliebaan station became a railway museum. The official opening took place in November 1954. Almost everything from the original station has been removed. The Maliebaan station was returned to its original state in 2005 and has since served as the entrance to the Railway Museum.

The exhibition ‘Maliebaan Station 150 years’ can be visited until November 1.