The Genoa-Casella historical railway is back! [Video gallery]

A journey from the sea to the mountains filled with Ligurian flavors, adventure, and history.

Many options to enjoy this historical train which has just been recently reinstated: food, nature, art and history.

The train starts at Manin and, along a stretch of 25 kilometers, crosses the Apennines and gets to Casella. The ride is divided into three zones: the Urban Zone starts at Manin and reaches up to Pino Station; Zone A starts at Pino Station and goes up to Busalletta; Zone B starts at Busalletta and gets to the village of Casella.

Although the idea of a railway that connects Genoa to its inner valleys (Scrivia and Trebbia Valley) goes back to the 19th century, contruction works began in 1922 and the first ride inaugurated in 1929. Due to lack of transportation, the train was immediately heavily used, especially during the war as many people ran away from the bombing. With the rise of private motorvehicle use, the number of train riders decreased especially in Winter and the train slowly became more touristy.

The 1929 historical train is still running today thanks to the oldest electric locomotive existing in Italy today, dating back to 1924.

The train ride offers the opportunity to enjoy many activities and points of interest such as:

- visits to dairy farms

- visit to the ancient Sant'Olcese salami laboratory

- best restaurants serving local food paired with excellent wine

- Ciaè botanical path with its 32 species

- visit to a local confectionery company that produces traditional Genoa sweets

- visit to a beer factory

- visit to the historical village of Casella

- visit to the famous Stone Castle near Vobbia

The ride from Genoa to Casella lasts 60 minutes, crossing 13 tunnels, reaching 456mt above sea level and going through 3 valleys (Valbisagno, Scrivia, Valpolcevera).

For more information: www.ferroviagenovacasella.it