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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
Nicky Gardner

Rail route of the month: the drama of an Alpine epic from Zurich to Graz

The Transalpin train to Graz from Zurich.
The Transalpin train to Graz from Zurich. Photograph: Artemios Klonos

Every great railway station needs a guardian angel. Zurich has one of the quirkiest. A colourful sculpture of a curvaceous, swimsuit-clad woman with golden wings hovers over the main concourse at the city’s Hauptbahnhof. L’ange protecteur by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle is as intriguing as the busy departure boards. With direct trains to destinations across 10 countries, this station is rich in possibilities. Anywhere from Amsterdam to Zagreb! Berlin, Bratislava or Bologna? Or perhaps Paris or Prague?

Sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle at Zurich’s Haupthanhof
Sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle at Zurich’s Haupthanhof Photograph: eFesenko/Alamy
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