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All Canada Québec Montreal Charlevoix Stained Glass Windows

Charlevoix Stained Glass Windows

A swirling spectrum of stained glass dazzles visitors who enter this subway station.

Montreal, Québec

Added By
Matthew Hollett
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Stained glass window at Charlevoix Metro.   matthewhollett / Atlas Obscura User
Stained glass window at Charlevoix Metro.   matthewhollett / Atlas Obscura User
Stained glass window at Charlevoix Metro.   matthewhollett / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Besides zipping travelers across the island, the Montreal Metro doubles as the city’s most expansive art gallery. Each of its 68 subway stations is a distinctly designed synthesis of architecture and art, and many prominently feature sculptures, mosaics, and stained glass. Even for longtime residents, visiting a new stop for the first time can feel like an adventure.

Two of the most photogenic artworks in the metro are no doubt the stunning stained glass windows at Charlevoix station. On sunny days, they cast kaleidoscopic hues across crowds going up and down the escalators. With over 15,000 pieces of glass in 800 colors, they're an unexpected joy as you descend underground.

The windows can't be seen from street level, as their light comes from a deep shaft that provides ventilation to the platform below. Charlevoix is the deepest station in the entire network, with its lower platform located 97 feet (29.6 meters) beneath the surface. It opened in 1978 as part of the Green Line’s expansion southwest into Angrinon.

The windows were designed by Montreal artist Mario Merola and crafted by Pierre Osterrath. Work by both artists can be found elsewhere on the metro. Merola designed the brickwork at Sherbrooke station, and there are more stained glass windows by Osterrath at stations Berri-UQAM and Du Collège.

Related Tags

Art Stained Glass Windows Subways Art History

Know Before You Go

Be sure to visit during daylight hours to see the windows at their best. The one closest to the surface can be viewed without a metro ticket, but the lower window is past the turnstiles.

Updated as of June 2023: The windows are boarded over, check before going to see if they have been uncovered. 

Community Contributors

Added By

matthewhollett

Edited By

Laura G

  • Laura G

Published

May 19, 2020

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Sources
  • http://www.stm.info/en/about/discover_the_stm_its_history/art-metro/list-artworks/charlevoix-mario-merola-and-pierre
  • https://artpublicmontreal.ca/en/oeuvre/untitled-16/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlevoix_station
Charlevoix Stained Glass Windows
2600 Centre Street
Montreal, Québec, H3K 1K1
Canada
45.478014, -73.56936
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Canadian Centre for Architecture Sculpture Garden

Montreal, Québec

miles away

Musée des Ondes Emile Berliner

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Montreal

Montreal

Québec

Places 39
Stories 8

Nearby Places

Canadian Centre for Architecture Sculpture Garden

Montreal, Québec

miles away

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miles away

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Montreal, Québec

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Montreal

Montreal

Québec

Places 39
Stories 8

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