Ópera (Madrid Metro)
Ópera | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Line 2 platforms, passage leading to Ramal platform is visible. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Location |
Centro, Madrid Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) | Madrid Metro Lines R, 2 & 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tracks | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Structure type | Underground | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform levels | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Disabled access | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fare zone | A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened |
Line 2 station: October 21, 1925 Ramal station: December 27, 1925 Line 5 station: June 5, 1968 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Previous names | Isabel II (21.10.1925-24.6.1931), Fermín Galán (5.6.1937-1939) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Ópera is a station on Line 2, Line 5 and Ramal of the Madrid Metro. It is located in fare Zone A, in the Plaza de Isabel II, in the central district of Madrid. The station provides access to an area with tourist landmarks such as Teatro Real, Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Palace. Its name comes from nearby Madrid opera house, the Teatro Real.
History
The station was opened to the public in 1925 for lines 2 and Ramal later that year. Its original name was Isabel II, under the square in which it stood. The platforms of lines 2 and Ramal are located at the same level, the former is 60 m long and the latter being shorter in the beginning, but later it was extended in length to 60 m, too.
After the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14, 1931, the new authorities approved by Decree of 20 April the removal of all the denominations that made references to the monarchy. Therefore, on June 24 Isabel II station was renamed Ópera. That same year, the square also changed his name to Fermín Galán, one of the leaders of the failed uprising in 1930 tried to overthrow King Alfonso XIII. On June 5, 1937 the station changed its name to coincide with the square. However, after the establishment of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco there was a further change in the names of city streets, stations, etc. Therefore, in 1939 the square was again renamed Isabel II, and the metro station recovered the name Ópera.
On June 5th of 1968 platforms on the line 5, located at greater depth and 90 m long, opened to the public.
The station has been partly renovated between 2003 and 2004.
On March 23 of 2011 the station reopened after works to improve accessibility. Currently it has a new lobby of 821 m² (previously was 114), and 3 lifts, one from lobby to the street and two from the lobby to the different platforms. Several escalators were also installed. The entrance to the station was moved from one side of the square to a new position, with two staircases and an elevator built.
Ópera station has a museum with a floor space of 234 square metres where 16th and 17th century remains may be observed, such as the Caños del Peral Fountain, which delivered water to the Royal Palace via the Amaniel Aqueduct, as well as other water supply works discovered during the remodelling works, such as the Arenal Sewer. Users may see the remains on display at the station and visit a room equipped with an audiovisuals to learn the history of the archaeological remains found.[1]