Palermo Notarbartolo railway station is situated at Piazza Matteo Maria Boiardo, to the north west of the Palermo city centre. It takes its name from Via Notarbartolo,[1] one of the most important streets in Palermo.
History
The station was opened in 1974. Work on its construction had begun in the 1930s, but had been suspended during World War II. After several vicissitudes, the work had later resumed, and was brought to fruition in the 1970s. With the opening of the Notarbartolo station, the old Palermo Lolli station, located in Piazza Lolli, was decommissioned.
The station was created as part of modifications to Palermo's rail infrastructure arrangements. These modifications were aimed at streamlining the traffic affected by about 10 level crossings that had actually "cut the town in two". To solve this problem, the lines were placed deep underground.
In the 1990s, a metro-link to Palermo Notarbartolo was opened from Palermo Centrale, in Piazza Giachery. It uses the existing underground route of the old Bivio–Olivuzza–Porto railway, and touches most of the city.
Currently under construction is another railway link that will connect a further big chunk of the city (the south-west).
Facilities
The architectural design of the station is very special, as it has only a head house at street level, while the rest of the station, including the tracks, are far below street level. There are seven platforms in total.
Italferr has recently started renovation work on the station that will radically alter its face, and make it part of a small shopping centre.
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