Volos was the most important railway station of Thessaly. It served both passengers and freight that came by sea to this great industrial city. The Italian architect Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous painter Giorgio de Chirico, designed the neoclassical building. The elaborate decoration deeply impressed young Giorgio, who often came to the station to visit his father. As a result, the building appears in numerous works. King George I of Greece inaugurated the station on 23 April 1884. A smaller station and a purpose-built dock connected the main terminal with the port. A retired sea captain served as station master and supervised the handling of the cargoes. Until today, the building is quite well preserved, while on the second floor the Railway Museum of Thessaly is housed.