Underground Odyssey: The Anish Kapoor-Designed Monte Sant’Angelo Subway Station Opens Today

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Summary

  • The Anish Kapoor-designed Sant’Angelo subway station officially unveils today in Naples, Italy
  • The station features two distinct entrances: one in weathering steel and the other in aluminum
  • Fusing art and infrastructure, its inspiration is derived from Naples’ geology and mythology

In Naples, Italy, the long-awaited Sant’Angelo subway station, masterfully designed by acclaimed artist Anish Kapoor, has finally been revealed. This project, initiated in 2003 as part of the Traiano district’s revitalization, beautifully combines essential transportation infrastructure with grand public art. Kapoor’s artistic vision was skillfully executed by Amanda Levete’s AL_A studio, furthering a partnership that originally began with Future Systems.

The station boasts two sculptural entrances that turn ordinary commuting into an engaging architectural experience. At the university plaza entrance, a weathered steel structure emerges from the ground in waves, giving off a pebble-like texture and an inverted funnel shape. This invites visitors to descend, mimicking the layers of earth as they step into the subterranean realm.

Instead, the Traiano portal offers a hollow, cylindrical aluminum structure sunken into the ground, polished to perfection to blend seamlessly with the nearby low-rise surroundings. Drawing inspiration from Naples’ volcanic landscape and Dante’s journey to the Inferno, each entrance is designed as a symbolic, ritualistic transition between the earthly realm and the underground.

Behind these striking entrances, Kapoor transforms a system of deserted tunnels, purposely keeping the rough concrete walls uncared-for to emphasize authenticity in materials. By blending art and practicality in this way, Monte Sant’Angelo Station rethinks the concept of public infrastructure; turning ordinary commutes into unexpected experiences filled with discovery and inspiration that linger long after the trip concludes.

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2025-09-11 13:56