Historical train: a magical journey by rail! The foothills of Friuli between Gemona and Sacile

Slow Tour

18 December 2018

Slow Tour

Historical train: a magical journey by rail! The foothills of Friuli between Gemona and Sacile

All aboard, and off we go! And what a carriage, really beautiful, and made entirely of wood! On the train, dating back to the early 20th century, the 1930s I am told, I felt immersed in history, imagining the bygone days I had heard about or read about in books.

The historical train of the foothills

We leave the railway station in Gemona del Friuli, where a beautiful steam train in front of me puffs grey smoke, to the amazement of children and adults taking some photos. Throughout the year, several trips are organised on this tourist train, but what I am going to tell you about is “the train of Christmas nativity scenes and markets from Gemona to Sacile'', the last event held in 2018.

Views from the carriage

A wonderful journey! Comfortable wooden carriages, not soft yet ideal for taking you back to past times, hard times, featuring only the essential. Many passengers, families and children on board are really enthusiastic, also thanks to some very pleasant surprises: Fisarmonica & Fisarmonicante and Cantante Vocalist (accordion player and singer). Can you hear the choruses of the countless songs too? Old memories spring to mind and for a moment we become just one family, amid laughs and shared glances, and I happily discover that the sense of humanity still exists.

The carriage of the historical train

When we get to Maniago station - awarded an Orange Flag by Touring Club Italiano – a bus is waiting to take us to the beautiful village of Poffabro and its nativity scenes. We take the road to the Val Colvera and I look for a moment at a road that leads to a special place of legends, among ''landri'' (caverns) and grottoes, which bring us ancient and important knowledge. One of these is called ''il bus da Lis Anguanis'‘, also known as “Agane” the ancient female figure, half myth and half reality, in the folk culture of Friuli and northern Europe.

Poffabro, one of the “Borghi più Belli d'Italia” (Most beautiful villages in Italy)

Here we are in Poffabro, a charming village and one of the most beautiful in Italy! I feel like I’m living in a fairy tale.

A nativity scene in a traditional “spolert” (wood-burning stove)

A multitude of nativity scenes along the windows in the village, a large square, facing the valley just like the cathedral, and houses with truly interesting architecture.

Nativity scene on a balcony

We enter the attractive alleys to discover handmade and hand-carved nativity scenes. Here, wood seems to take shape and come to life. People welcome us with a smile, showing us their magical skills.

Typical house in Poffabro

A hat belonging to an elf or to Santa Claus made of branches and moss appears, now and again, on top of a wall. The aromas of hot drinks and spicy cakes fill the streets and our stomach: you cannot resist some mulled wine or apple juice accompanied by cakes, can you?! We stop for lunch at a former knife-making workshop near Maniago, in operation until 1997. Everything is excellent! Then we set off to the Christmas markets in Sacile: the best way to end a truly amazing trip, with illuminated stars skimming the water that crosses the town… and it is instantly magical!

The historical centre of Sacile

The historical train is a journey through time, memories and the beauty of being able to discover much more about an area and all its riches. A unique and precious journey. I can’t wait to board the next train, and you.... will you be there too?

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Tatiana Dereani

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Innovator of traditions, 1st-level master’s in the promotion of the cultural and environmental heritage for tourism. I started my career as a wine expert with my own business in addition to working for others, but my interest shifted almost immediately towards experiential tourism and web marketing. Now my dream is to realise my project of promoting tourism through legends and folklore.