A 3-day itinerary along the historic Faentina Railway, through the Mugello, the Apennines and Romagna
The Faentina Railway is one of Italy’s most fascinating historic rail lines. Launched in 1893, it was the country’s first trans-Apennine railway and represented an extraordinary feat of engineering, connecting Florence to Faenza through the heart of the Apennines. Stretching over 100 kilometers or 62 miles, the route made it possible to connect the Tyrrhenian Sea and Adriatic Sea thanks to bridges, tunnels and viaducts that still characterize the line.
Today, the Faentina offers one of the most picturesque train rides in Tuscany. Out the window, forests, villages, parish churches and Apennine landscapes roll by, changing with the passing of the seasons and making the journey an integral part of the experience.
This 3-day itinerary allows you to discover some of the most interesting places along the railroad line, ideally following the route that leads to Ravenna—the city where Dante Alighieri spent the last years of his life—and starts from his hometown.
Regional trains bound for Faenza generally depart from platforms 17 and 18 at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. In about 40 minutes, you reach Borgo San Lorenzo, the main town in the Mugello region and an excellent starting point for exploring the area.
While strolling through the historic center, you’ll come across the Pieve di San Lorenzo, which houses a Madonna and Child attributed to Giotto and frescoes by Galileo Chini, the Palazzo del Podestà with adornments by Dino Chini and the Clock Tower, the symbol of the city.
Just a few minutes from downtown is Villa Pecori Giraldi, home to the Chini Museum, dedicated to the famous family of artists and ceramicists who helped spread the Art Nouveau style in Italy and abroad.
Before heading off again, stop by Piazza Dante to say hello to Fido, the dog who became a symbol of loyalty, having waited for years for the return of his owner, who went missing during World War II.
Regional trains bound for Faenza generally depart from platforms 17 and 18 at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. In about 40 minutes, you reach Borgo San Lorenzo, the main town in the Mugello region and an excellent starting point for exploring the area.
While strolling through the historic center, you’ll come across the Pieve di San Lorenzo, which houses a Madonna and Child attributed to Giotto and frescoes by Galileo Chini, the Palazzo del Podestà with adornments by Dino Chini and the Clock Tower, the symbol of the city.
Just a few minutes from downtown is Villa Pecori Giraldi, home to the Chini Museum, dedicated to the famous family of artists and ceramicists who helped spread the Art Nouveau style in Italy and abroad.
Before heading off again, stop by Piazza Dante to say hello to Fido, the dog who became a symbol of loyalty, having waited for years for the return of his owner, who went missing during World War II.
The most spectacular stretch of the Faentina Railway begins in Borgo San Lorenzo. The train winds its way into the heart of the Apennines, passing through tunnels, viaducts, chestnut groves and beech forests, offering some of the most picturesque railway views in Tuscany.
After about half an hour, you’ll reach Marradi, a village on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where the traditions, flavors and culture of the 2 regions come together.
Marradi is inextricably linked to the poet Dino Campana, author of Canti Orfici. The poet’s birthplace and the Campaniani Study Center chronicle the poet’s life, while the Church of San Lorenzo houses important works by the Maestro of Marradi.
Also worth visiting is Palazzo Torriani, an elegant historic residence featuring original furnishings and Art Nouveau decorations by Galileo Chini.
If you visit Marradi in the fall, don’t miss the famous Marron Buono di Marradi IGP, the star of the traditional Chestnut Festival.
The most spectacular stretch of the Faentina Railway begins in Borgo San Lorenzo. The train winds its way into the heart of the Apennines, passing through tunnels, viaducts, chestnut groves and beech forests, offering some of the most picturesque railway views in Tuscany.
After about half an hour, you’ll reach Marradi, a village on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where the traditions, flavors and culture of the 2 regions come together.
Marradi is inextricably linked to the poet Dino Campana, author of Canti Orfici. The poet’s birthplace and the Campaniani Study Center chronicle the poet’s life, while the Church of San Lorenzo houses important works by the Maestro of Marradi.
Also worth visiting is Palazzo Torriani, an elegant historic residence featuring original furnishings and Art Nouveau decorations by Galileo Chini.
If you visit Marradi in the fall, don’t miss the famous Marron Buono di Marradi IGP, the star of the traditional Chestnut Festival.
On the way back to Florence, it’s worth stopping in Crespino del Lamone, a small village nestled in the green hills of the Apennines.
Here, the Lamone River, its springs and the many trails make the town an ideal destination for those who love to hike. In the summer, you can cool off in the stream’s distinctive natural pools.
For hikers, Marradi and Crespino are also connected by a pleasant hiking trail that takes about 4 hours to complete.
Be sure to stop in at the Church of Santa Maria Nascente, which safeguards a precious fragment of an altarpiece attributed to Jacopo del Casentino, as well as the monument commemorating the Nazi-Fascist massacre of July 17, 1944.
On the way back to Florence, it’s worth stopping in Crespino del Lamone, a small village nestled in the green hills of the Apennines.
Here, the Lamone River, its springs and the many trails make the town an ideal destination for those who love to hike. In the summer, you can cool off in the stream’s distinctive natural pools.
For hikers, Marradi and Crespino are also connected by a pleasant hiking trail that takes about 4 hours to complete.
Be sure to stop in at the Church of Santa Maria Nascente, which safeguards a precious fragment of an altarpiece attributed to Jacopo del Casentino, as well as the monument commemorating the Nazi-Fascist massacre of July 17, 1944.
Continuing toward Ravenna
The Faentina Railway ends in Faenza. From here, you can easily continue on regional trains to Ravenna, a city that is home to the tomb of Dante Alighieri and serves as the natural conclusion to this itinerary.
Those who prefer to return to Tuscany can instead head back to Florence by taking the Faentina Railway once again, enjoying the splendid landscapes of the Apennines from the train window.