Porrettana Express: Historic Railway Revived as Open-Air Museum in Tuscan-Emilian Apennines

The historic Porrettana railway line has been restored and relaunched as the Porrettana Express, a summer tourist service running from June to October between Pistoia and Bologna. The project aims to promote the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines through slow travel, with restored vintage carriages and stops at villages including Piteccio, Castagno, Corbezzi, and Pracchia. These serve as starting points for trekking and nature walks to sites such as the Sentiero del Merlo, Lavacchini spring, Lago Nero, valley mills, the via del carbone, the church of Santo Atanasio, and the Orsigna Valley estate that was home to writer Tiziano Terzani. Castagno, a stone hamlet of 80 inhabitants, functions as an open-air museum with over 100 artworks by more than 50 artists including Bueno, Vivarelli, Maccari, Martini, and Vaccai, who have donated works since the 1970s. Artist residencies continue to produce new installations and murals. The journey begins at the Pistoia Historic Rolling Stock Depot, first stop of the Apennine Railway Ecomuseum. At each stop, visitors can taste local specialties such as chestnut-flour tortelli. Activities for families include educational workshops, music, theater, readings, and guided tours. An illustrated book by artist Michele Fabbricatore, published by Giorgio Tesi Editrice, narrates the line's history and is sold at stations. The project is promoted by cultural curator Claudia Zanfi, founder of the GREEN ISLAND program.