Date
4 August 1935
Object Type
Photograph
Subject
Religious ceremony held at the Caves of Fantiscritti on the occasion of the laying of a stone lapidea.
Holding institution
Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara
About The Work
The image documents both the route known as the ‘three hundred steps’—laid on the ground alongside the tracks used to transport marble from the mountains to the plain (that is, a section of the Marmifera railway)—and the public invited to attend the plaque-laying ceremony, photographed while ascending on foot. The Carrara Marmifera railway commenced operations in 1876 and ceased activity in 1964, when it was supplanted by motor lorries, which were faster, more economical, and more efficient. By the 1930s, the line operated eight steam locomotives and 234 freight wagons; in 1960, three diesel locomotives were assigned to the service. The route traced around the marble quarries of Carrara extended for approximately 22 kilometres and included 16 bridges and 15 tunnels—an engineering achievement of considerable magnitude given the technical resources available at the time. The line developed as follows: departing from Carrara and proceeding towards, and beyond, the village of Torano, it entered the expansive quarrying channels of one of the most significant marble basins in the region. Shortly thereafter, having passed the Bettogli and Piastra basins, it reached the Ravaccione station (455 metres above sea level), serving the Ravaccione, Verdichiara, and Torrione quarries. From there, the railway entered the 1,125-metre tunnel beneath Monte Torrione, emerging at the Fantiscritti station (420 metres above sea level), which provided access to the Carbonera, Fantiscritti, Canal Grande, and Campanili quarries. Continuing through a 930-metre tunnel excavated within Monte Novella, the line arrived at the Tarnone station (380 metres above sea level), serving the Fossacava, Carbonera, Gioia, Calaggio, and Colonnata quarries. Beyond this point began the descent via the 226-metre Vara tunnel, renowned for the spectacular Vara Bridges, constructed at a height of approximately 40 metres above the roadway. The route then traversed the lengthy Monte Croce tunnel before reaching the stations of Miseglia Superiore and subsequently Torano. From this junction, the railway reversed direction towards Miseglia Inferiore, passing through the San Giuseppe (72 metres) and Miseglia Inferiore (87 metres) tunnels. At this stage, the line altered course and descended toward the city of Carrara. After crossing the Vezzala tunnel (32 metres) and the distinctive Ponte di Ferro—20 metres high and 130 metres in length—it reached the Monterosso station, formerly the administrative headquarters of the railway and now disused. Within Carrara, the final stop was the San Martino station. Beyond this point, the railway descended steeply, crossing several bridges, including that of Anderlino, before terminating at its maritime endpoint: a rail-equipped loading dock furnished with tracks and hoisting machinery used to transfer marble onto sailing vessels awaiting departure in the harbour of Marina di Carrara.
Title
LUNGO UNA SCALA DI 300 GRADINI
Subject
Religious ceremony held at the Caves of Fantiscritti on the occasion of the laying of a stone lapidea.
Creator
Michele Casseri
Date
4 August 1935
ShootingDate
4 August 1935
Object Type
Photograph
Technique / Support
Gelatin silver print
Original Function
Documentation
Dimensions
mm 175x240
Holding institution
Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara
Bibliography and archival sources
Pietro Marchini, "La Ferrovia marmifera: un via fantastica" in Diari Toscani - https://www.diaritoscani.it/2024/12/27/la-ferrovia-marmifera-un-percorso-fantastico/
Unique identifier
ICCD_MIDF_7134996561671