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Dome of Light of Formosa Boulevard Metro Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Author Zairon.

Top 10 Astonishing Facts About the Dome of Light

The Dome of light is Situated at the station of the Kaohsiung MRT, Taiwan. It was created by one of the renowned artists Narcissus Quagliata, who came from Germany.

The dome is listed as one of the world鈥檚 largest public art installations which were made from individual pieces of coloured glass. The work of this art not only adds to the beauty of the Kaohsiung MRT station but also installs a new look to the art life especially the Kaohsiung city and also creates a new view of the city.

The measurements dome is 30-meter in diameter. It also covers an area of 660 square. Quagliata created a new creative art through the lead glass panes by creating and assembling it according to his full-scale blueprint to come out of the millennia-old Form of art.

Let鈥檚 learn the top 10 astonishing facts about the Dome of Light.

1. It Explains the Story of Human Life in Four Different Ways

Despite the four years the Dome of Light took to be completed, it explained the story of human life in four main different ways.

one way was through Water which meant the Womb of Life, and the Earth which signified Prosperity and Growth. The Light indicated the Creative Spirit and finally, the Fire indicated Destruction and Rebirth.

The dome also has a message of love tolerance and to the heroes of the country. Who played a key role in bringing political changes in the country which ensured freedom for all

2. The Dome is the Second Most Beautiful Subway in the World

Dome of Light of Formosa Boulevard Metro Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Zairon.

Since it was opened officially for public use, the Dome of Light has greatly earned international acclaim. It was later named the second most beautiful subway station in the world by an American travel publication.

In Taiwan, the station became the most visited station and also became a tourist hit for the people of this country. Each day a large crowd of people visit the Dome where they enjoy the beauty of the art.

3. It Has Colored Glass Artwork

Dome of Light of Formosa Boulevard Metro Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Author Zairon.

The dome of light is made from 4,500 glass panels which is the heart of the Dome, with its colourful display of art. The dome’s vibrant flashes of art are considered the 鈥渓argest work of glass art鈥� in the world.

The dome was dedicated to the Formosa Incident. This was a democratic protest that took place near the present-day Formosa Boulevard Station. The protest signified a turning point in Taiwan鈥檚 history, which helped in shaping the nation.

4. The Dome of Light has Free Music Lights Show

Apart from the art of displaying colours at the dome, it also has free music shows daily. The dome hosts the show three times per day.

One show takes place at 11 am, 3 pm, and 8 pm. The colours changes with different sync at the background of every music.

5. It is Free of Charge to Visit

Dome of Light of Formosa Boulevard Metro Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Author Zairon.

It is an amazing attraction site with a worthwhile experience since it is free to visit it. The location of the dome is within the transfer section.

The section is between the Red Line and Orange Line of the Taiwanese MRT. This makes it a regular thing people see since they pass by daily.

6. The Dome of Light has 1,152 Hand Painted Glass Panels

Dome of Light of Formosa Boulevard Metro Station, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Author Zairon.

It has 1,152 hand-painted glass panels. The themes of the glass panels range from the political to the metaphysical.

These themes are a source of joy and pride to thousands of Taiwanese who uses the underground station on daily basis. The main achievement of the dome is the transformation of the town from a bleak factory town to Taiwan鈥檚, creative heart. Creative art has not only changed the world鈥檚 view of Kaohsiung town but its perception.

7. It was a Catalyst For the City鈥檚 Transformation

The dome鈥檚 impact has been felt by most of the people in the town and the whole country. Quagliata the designer of the dome once stated, 鈥淭here have been concerts there; people started taking their wedding pictures under it. People are proud of it. And when I saw the tourist office advertising itself with a picture of the dome, I knew that I had succeeded in my main mission.鈥�

This piece of work became a catalyst for the city鈥檚 transformation. Due to the dome, the polluted Love River was cleaned up and abandoned warehouses became art galleries. Due to the art, one of the unloved ports in the country became a preferred place to hang out for young Taiwanese families.

8. The Construction of the Dome Sparked Controversy Among the Residents

Italian-born and Mexico-based artists were selected by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) to design the public artwork.  This caused controversy among the residents. They argued that a native artist should have been hired.

When he learned this, Quagliata started to learn about the town and also the Taiwanese. He began with his first visit in 2002.

9. The Dome Marks as a Reminder to the Struggle for Democracy in Taiwan

Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station, Kaohsiung MRT.Author Adonis Lin.

It is not just considered an attraction site but also a reminder of Taiwan鈥檚 history. The Dome of Light reminds its people and the world of how the Taiwanese democracy was gained and fought for. This reason contributes to the huge number of people visiting the dome.

10. It is Built Under a Train

The dome is regarded as a hidden gem in the city. This is because it is located under a train station in the town.

The dome is one of the treasured pieces of art in Taiwan for its rich history of Taiwanese democracy and the culture of its people.