Walking through the history of Italian railways!

On Tuesday, the ScanMed Team and Project Implementation Managers visited the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa, just outside Naples – and what a marvel it was!

The museum is located precisely on the first stretch of railway ever built in Italy. 185 years ago, on 3 October 1839, the King of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand II of the House of Bourbon, inaugurated the 7.4 km long railway line connecting Naples to Portici. One year later, he issued a Royal Decree for the purchase of the land on which the Pietrarsa factory complex would be built.

As we roamed through the exhibition and enjoyed a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naples, we were impressed by the richness of the materials on display and the cure with which they are preserved. Made up of over 55 historic rolling stock, the collection is in what used to be the Royal Workshops for Mechanical Works, Ammunition Production and Locomotives. The factory remained in operation until the 1970s, and in 1989 re-opened its doors as a museum.

Admiring and learning about locomotives, carriages, and machinery which were once running along the peninsula’s railway network was an enriching experience for which we would like to thank the museum, the Fondazione FS Italiane and our tour guide, Sylvia Ciscognetti.

Our tip: if you visit Naples, make sure not to miss this jewel!