The arrival of the railway in the 1860s marked a turning point in the history of Sils. From the very moment it was introduced, it became an essential stop on the line between Girona and Barcelona. Its importance was due to the fact that it served as a hub for passengers and goods from a wide area, including the capital, Santa Coloma de Farners, which at some distance from the natural route of the railway line made Sils its local station.

Not only was the railway responsible for the demographic growth that the town experienced from then on, but also for the configuration of its current urban layout. A superficial analysis might suggest that the train separated the old town of Sils—centred around the church—from the more modern part, thus hindering adequate urban development. However, nothing could be further from the truth, because at the time the railway was constructed the town of Sils did not yet have an established urban fabric. In fact, the placement of the station next to the road connecting Santa Coloma, Sils and Vidreres brought about the first urban development along the main street, Carrer Major. Warehouses and service buildings for travellers went up initially, to be followed by houses and commercial premises.

The growth of the town of Sils in the late 19th and early 20th century led to changes in the territorial balance of the municipality. The Carrer de les Mallorquines—until the arrival of the railway the only street giving the appearance of an urban plan, thanks to the distribution of houses along the Royal Road between Hostalric and Girona— saw its traditional pre-eminence progressively diminished.

Today, Sils railway station continues to provide an essential service for a large number of travellers from the La Selva and El Gironès counties, and remains one of the town’s attractions. Together with the surrounding road transportation infrastructures, it highlights how the history of Sils has been determined by its location along the natural corridor linking Barcelona with France.