Up and down the Bolognese Apennines aboard steam trains of the early twentieth century that, with their 392 seats, rattle along the historic Porrettana Railway, one of the first major iron infrastructures of a united Italy completed in 1864 and Pistoia terminus …
Three slow journeys for lovers of cultural-sustainable tourism. To organize them, the Region together with Fer (Ferrovie Emilia-Romagna) that has put in place three cultural events:
the International Water Festival, now in its fourth edition and scheduled from 22 to 24 June in Porretta in conjunction with the “Celestial Night” of the Emilia-Romagna spa.
While the other two races will be carried out on October 13 and December 8 (For info and reservations on train tickets please contact Bologna Welcome, email address: ticket@bolognawelcome.it).
The three trips on the steam trains, made available by the Fondazione Fs Italiane, are open to everyone. And they have the same timetables: for the outward journey, departure from Bologna Central at 10:30 and arrival at Porretta Terme at 12:52, with intermediate stops at Casalecchio di Reno, Sasso Marconi, Marzabotto, Vergato and Riola. Departure of the return journey from Porretta at 18.45 and arrival in Bologna at 21.10, same intermediate stops of the outward journey.
The return ticket costs 15 euros, free for children up to 12 years old. The proceeds from the tickets will be donated to the Bolognese non-profit organization Bimbo Tu, which assists families of children affected by serious illnesses.
First appointment on the agenda: the National Water Festival, a three day (22-24 June) under the banner of the identity element of Porretta Terme, with a dense calendar of theatrical performances, literary meetings and themed conferences. The highlight will be Saturday 23rd, when the “Celestial Night”, the spa party of Emilia-Romagna, will be celebrated.
The second run of the historic steam train is scheduled for October 13, on the occasion of Porretta Slow, a traditional appointment with the typical products of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, starting with the chestnut. For the occasion it will be re-evoked the happening that back in 1978 saw the famous American musician, John Cage as protagonist. To remember the famous performance, the steam train that will travel that day on the Porrettana Railway will be welcomed by musical bands at each stop along the way, while other artists will board the carriage to cheer the passengers.
Grand finale Saturday, December 8, under the banner of Christmas markets, with cribs in each station.
Source: the Resto del Carlino
