A Ride Up High

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.

A view of Montecatini Terme from Montecatini Alto.

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.