PISTOIA – Traveling to the places dear to Tiziano Terzani, aboard vintage carriages, to savor the nature and history of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines: the historic trains of Porrettana Express are back, themed itineraries on the Transappenninica tracks, departing from Pistoia, until September. The next appointment is scheduled for Sunday 7 July with “A train for Terzani“, a journey to discover the territory that the famous traveler and writer chose to spend the last period of his life. Guest of honor of the day, Jacopo Storni, journalist and author of the book “Tiziano Terzani told me. In the places of the roots of a restless explorer” (Ediciclo Editore).
The journey will start from Pistoia Station: at 8:30 am meeting at the Deposito Officina Rotabili for check-in and an exclusive visit to the hub where Fondazione FS carries out maintenance on carriages and locomotives from different eras. The train will depart for Pracchia at 9:50 am with a stop to visit the Valdibrana ramp (built at the time of steam trains to allow carriages to pick up speed and overcome the climb). From Pracchia, some shuttles will take travellers to discover Orsigna, the small village chosen by Tiziano Terzani, who passed away this year. Here, after lunch, there will be a presentation of Jacopo Storni’s book, curated by the author himself.
An unpublished portrait of the great journalist-writer Tiziano Terzani through the places of his roots and the voices of the people who loved him: from his wife Angela (who signs the introduction to the book) to his friend and shepherd Mario, from his high school classmates to his first girlfriend Maria Rosa, from the homeopath Massimo Mangialavori to his childhood neighbors, up to his university classmates. The book is a journey along the streets and paths where Terzani began to question himself about the world, about life, a journey that dismantles the stereotypes of the guru writer and reveals the essence of a restless but curious man, fragile but determined, in search of an elsewhere but proud of his origins. A way to get closer to Terzani and that, by exploring places and listening to the voices of friends and family (many of which never heard until now), tells the intimate memories, the thoughts and many anecdotes of the life of a Florentine boy who felt inside the urgency to live.
Porrettana Express reaches its fifth year of “rebirth” this year: an experience of slow tourism among small villages immersed in greenery, tunnels and viaducts of ancient memory along one of the first railway lines built in the country between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, which for a long time was the only railway connection between the north and central Italy. The key to the success and the distinctive feature of the “Porrettana Express” project, which has brought travellers from all over the world to discover the territory surrounding the historic trans-Apennine railway, is the programme offered to the traveller, supported by an entertainment service that accompanies the participants for the entire day.
The 2024 edition is divided into two distinct events: “A train for Terzani” and “Autumn Magic”, another new feature this year. The “Porrettana Magic Express” will depart on Sunday 15 September towards Porretta Terme. A unique and incredible journey on the theme of magic, the world of Harry Potter and his wonderful adventures. During the journey, the Porrettana Magic Express will magically transform into the train that takes little apprentice wizards to Hogwarts School, and participants will find professional actors in the carriages who, playing the famous teachers of the school for wizards, will stage a truly unique interactive show. A second KIDS train concludes the 2024 cycle on Saturday 21 September, taking participants young and old to discover the Pistoia Mountains with destination Pracchia. Entertainment for families will be provided before departure, during the journey and during train stops along the route. This trip also offers a visit to various places and museum complexes of the Pistoia Mountain Ecomuseum (ironworks, icehouse, mills, charcoal kiln) to rediscover ancient crafts and traditions.
Launched in 2019 with the aim of enhancing the historic railway that connects Pistoia with Porretta Terme, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Pistoia Mountains, Porrettana Express 2024 is a promotional project implemented by Germina Impresa Sociale in collaboration with the TRANSAPP Association and promoted and supported by the Municipalities of Pistoia and San Marcello Piteglio, the Caript Foundation, the Tuscany Region, Toscana Promozione Turistica and with the precious partnership of the FS Foundation and FS Treni Turistici Italiani
Tickets (30 euros for adults, 15 euros for children from 4 to 12 years old, free from 0 to 4 years old) can be purchased exclusively online on the website http://www.porrettanaexpress.it
