View of Montecatini Alto from Montecatini Terme |
Many fellow bloggers commented that they liked this image in a previous post. It shows a vintage carousel in the Tuscan spa town Montecatini Terme with the hilltop town of Montecatini Alto in the background.
Montecatini Alto, which translates to Montecatini high, dates to medieval times, even before the existence of Montecatini Terme. This little town was a fortress due to its strategic position, the land below was marshland which made it difficult to invade.
Funicolare di Montecatini |
The most enjoyable way to reach the medieval village of Montecatini Alto is by taking a round trip ride on the Montecatini Funicular, known in Italian as the Funicolare di Montecatini. A one-way trip is just under 9 minutes riding on two distinctive red trains, Gigio and Gigia, once called Number 1 and Number 2.
Gigia and Gigio trains |
These are now the oldest cable railway funicular cars in operation throughout Italy. The red cars run throughout the day ascending and descending the steep hill to Montecatini Alto every half hour from 9:30 am to 12 pm with a break between 1 and 2:30 pm. A round trip ticket is the equivalent of $7.50 in U.S. dollars.
A funicular is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. The cable car runs on the cog and wheel principal. This system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages permanently attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, which is looped over a pulley at the upper end of the track.
Passengers wave to those on the opposite car when passing |
Work on the funicular that connects the towns of Montecatini Terme and Montecatini Alto began in March 1897 and was completed the following year. Its inauguration in June 1898 was attended by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. It has been modernized over the years, but the cars have not been modified. Riding up on either of the red cars, the atmosphere is much the same as years ago with wooden benches and external balconies with space to stand and enjoy wonderful panoramic views which we did.
View of the track from the top station |
In 1921, the original steam system was replaced with an electrically driven winch, the rest of the original equipment remains receiving maintenance adjustments. The two red trains travel a distance of 1077 meter (0.669 mile) reaching a maximum slope of 38.5% (an average slope is 20.5%).
Originally, the funicular used a large steam boiler located downstream replaced by an electric motor drive in 1921. Over the years, there have been some interruptions to service. It ran safely until September 1944, when retreating soldiers set off explosives damaging parts of the tracks halting service until 1949. In 1977, technical adjustments were needed and it closed until 1982. Due to the intervention of regional government, cars were restored and the latest equipment was installed.
Ticket office for the 1898 Funicolare |
Riding on the funicalare isn't the only way to reach Montecatini Alto. There's a pedestrian walking path, known as the Corta, a 30-45 minute walk depending on the pace with some steep areas. There's also a bus and motorist route.
Part of original wall around Montecatini Alto (Internet source) |
At one time, Montecatini Alto had a protective wall with 25 portas or doors. The doors were actually towers, some still remain. Like Montecatini Terme, the town has connections with the powerful Florentine Medici. In 1554, Cosimo dei Medici almost destroyed it, burning down its archives and eliminating its earliest history.
The landscape is dominated by the Tower of Ugolino, dedicated to Ugolino della Gherardesca, Count of Donoratico, an Italian nobleman, politician and naval commander.
Torre dell’Orologio (clock tower), Montecatini Alto |
The tower, known as the Torre dell’Orologio (clock tower), remains from the ancient fortification. The clock dates to the 1500s and was modernized in the 1700s with clock hands. The roman dial and numerals followed in 1844. You might wonder why the clock has 6 Roman numerals not 12. This is an example of an Italian clock in which time was divided into 6 hours repeated 4 times. This system, devised by the church in the 13th century, remained in effect until the Napoleonic era. Not many clocks of this type remain; there are 25 in Tuscany.
Teatro dei Risorti, Montecatino Alto |
One of the most unique buildings here is the Teatro dei Risorti, an extension of a 14th-century building (Loggia del Parlascio) where assemblies and markets were held. During the 1950s, it became a cinema, replacing the backdrop with a screen painted white. It is one of the oldest theatre spaces in the Italian region of Tuscany.
Piazza Giusti, Montecatino Alto |
The small town square is filled with restaurants. In the center is Piazza Giusti dedicated to Giuseppe Giusti, a northern Italian poet and satirist, who lived there for years. Restaurants and bars overlook this area, still covered with stone paving.
Dining outdoors in Montecatini Alto |
After a short exploration in the town, ourselves and travel companions (Judy and Sandy) enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the main square. (To answer David G's question about lunch, Patrick had wild boar ravioli; my dish was spinach and ricotta in freshly made cannelloni pasta. Our friends enjoyed a homemade pasta dish as well.)
We enjoyed some final views in Montecatini Alto before heading back to the funicalore for our return trip.
If you are ever in this area, do treat yourself to a ride on these trains and a visit to this hilltop town. The views alone were worth the ride. The small town was wonderful to explore in the short time we had before lunch.
29 comments:
I hope you had a great lunch, something really typical of the area.
It looks like fun! What a wonderful solution to a transportation problem! Brilliant!
wow you have way with taking photos dear Dorothy
i really really LOVED your photos taken from Montecatini alto
they are breathtaking !!!!!!!!!
the town photos and history of the ride both are intriguing
you both look so happy while enjoying the trip :)
thanks for wonderful sharing!
...a great way to see the view from the top. Thanks for taking me along to see the sights.
Good morning, such a interesting post! I enjoyed it. I think I saw this area on a travel show on the tv beautiful area The pasta foods sound delicious I always figured if I would have had the opportunity to travel finding gluten free to eat would be difficult.
Lovely photos
Kathy
This is so interesting, Dorothy -- both the background and also just seeing the beautiful countryside and enjoying your travels there. Your photos are great and I love that the bright red funiculaire shows up so cheerfully!
Thanks so much for taking me on the "ride" and visit and even lunch! Virtual travel is great and you present just enough details to make each shot interesting! You'd make a good tour guide!
A good title would have been, Funicular Fun.
This was interesting and informative, as you usually favor us with. Beautiful views and looks like great company, too! :)
Stunning views. You take the best pictures!
What an amazing trip! Beautiful scenery and delicious food. Nothing better than that.
Sue
Next to Lucca, this was my favorite town. I thought my Duck Ravioli was unique, but the Wild Boar topped it. BUT i can not think of a bad meal during the whole trip (except airport food😡)
Awesome views and love the train, I did ride a train like this one in the USA as a child and can remember the train but not where it was. love the tower and all the architecture . a wonder trip and I know you are happy you took it
The funicalare looks too much like a rollercoaster for me. The architecture is beautifully enchanting.
Those two views are just amazing! And the first photo was my favorite. This place looks so totally secure! And how beautiful it is!
Such a colorful and beautiful town. That’s a great price for the ride. I particularly like the clock tower. I’m a clock enthusiast.
A beautiful spot for sure. We've taken funniculars a number of times in different places. Last one was in Switzerland.
I adore that first photo. What a great contrast. We spent a week in Rome a few years ago, and the food was so wonderful.
What a grand trip, the funicular looks fun indeed! The spinach and ricotta fresh pasta sounds delicious!
that's a clever system to run transportation over a steep hill
That first photo is a super one, that's for sure. Looks like you had a marvelous time. I certainly enjoyed all these photos.
Hi Beatrice, Great photos! I wish that we'd made it to Italy...specifically Tuscany...but such is not to be. Keep on putting out the great photos and I'll be able to travel vicariously via your adventure! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
What a fun adventure!
Riding the old red trains up to Montecatini Alto sounds like such a cool experience, especially with those views.
I love how the town feels frozen in time.
Lunch in Piazza Giusti with wild boar ravioli sounds interesting.
Happy Wednesday, Beatrice!
I appreciate your blog posts because you share photos and information of Italian regions I rarely visit these days. The funicular system is an amazing way to reach the top town where you enjoyed a delicious lunch with fellow travelers. The photos of your experience are outstanding. Thanks both of you.
Kind of expensive trip, but I do love those sidewalk cafes. They were popular in Dubrovnik, Croatia when I visited in 1990.
A wonderful post filled with wonderful photos. I almost went to Italy once back in the 80s...but, unfortunately, it didn't eventuate.
Take good care. :)
Funicular railways are fascinating. I'm glad that one is still operating after all these years.
Interesting that the clock tower has only 6 Roman numerals and why that is.
This looks like a really lovely place to visit. I'd ride the funicular, and wow, not only did you have super views, but that's a great town at the top. I'm glad I found this post, even if I am a couple of days late, because I have never heard of this place, and I would love to visit it. hugs-Erika
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