Jesi
The Rome-Ancona railway: a journey through Lazio, Umbria, and Marche
If you're looking for a comfortable and efficient way to reach Ancona and the Adriatic coast from the Italian capital, the Rome-Ancona railway is definitely one of the most convenient options. Along its route, the railway crosses Lazio, then Umbria, where it reaches the cities of Terni, Spoleto, and Foligno, before crossing the Umbro-Marchigian Apennines and finally reaching central Marche, touching Fabriano and Jesi, and terminating at Falconara Marittima, near Ancona.
But behind this important railway line is an interesting and complex history, rooted in the ancient Papal States.
The history of the Rome-Ancona railway
The Rome-Ancona railway project takes shape in the ancient Papal States shortly after the death of Pope Gregory XVI in 1846. Despite numerous plans and proposals, Gregory's predecessor had never authorized the construction of a railway.
But with the arrival of Pius IX on the throne of Peter, things changed. In 1846, the Secretariat of State authorized the construction of a railway line that would connect the Papal States to the main port of the Adriatic, that of Ancona. The objective was also to connect with the Lombardo-Veneto railway lines, passing through Bologna and Modena.
Several proposed routes were presented, but in the end, the pontifical commission opted for the solution that involved passing through the Fossato di Vico pass, through the Potenza River valley and the Nera and Chienti valleys.
The executive project was named "Pio Centrale" railway in honor of the Pope, but construction was slowed by the transfer of much of the territory traversed by the railway from the Papal States to the Kingdom of Italy. In addition, there were landslides, financial scandals, and difficulties with the route. Even incidents like the explosion of the gunpowder depot during the construction of the Narni-Montoro Nero section caused further delays.
The operation of the Rome-Ancona railway began on the sections already built in 1865 by the Rome railroad company (SSFR), born from the ashes of a group of small minor companies. The railway was inaugurated by the Kingdom of Italy on April 29, 1866.
The routes of the Rome-Ancona railway
Since its inauguration, the Rome-Ancona railway has represented an important connection between the Italian capital and the Adriatic coast of the peninsula. Along its route, the railway line touches several cities of historical, artistic, and scenic interest, offering travelers the opportunity to discover some of the beauties of central Italy.
The railway crosses Lazio, with a stop in Orte, then Umbria, with stops in Terni, Spoleto, and Foligno. The landscape that can be admired from the train cars is partly mountainous, partly hilly, and partly coastal, crossing the Umbro-Marchigian Apennines before arriving in central Marche, touching Fabriano and Jesi, and ending at Falconara Marittima, near Ancona.
The future of the Rome-Ancona railway
The Rome-Ancona railway continues to represent one of the most important railway connections in central Italy, contributing to promoting tourism and development of the Adriatic coast.
However, in recent years some criticisms have been raised about the quality and efficiency of the railway service, particularly regarding the punctuality of trains and the maintenance of infrastructure.
For this reason, some initiatives are underway to improve the railway service on the Rome-Ancona line, including the implementation of extraordinary maintenance interventions, the promotion of new transport solutions, and the implementation of new technologies to improve the safety and reliability of the service.
In conclusion, the Rome-Ancona railway represents an important piece of the Italian railway network, offering travelers the opportunity to discover some of the beauties of central Italy. Despite some difficulties and critical issues, the railway service continues to operate, contributing to the tourist and economic development of the region.
