Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa, Naples

Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa, Naples

The National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa (Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa) is located alongside the Naples–Portici railway, situated between Naples, Portici, and San Giorgio a Cremano. Pietrarsa was previously called "Pietra Bianca" (white stone) but was renamed to Pietrarsa (burnt stone) following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631.

This museum is housed within the premises of the former Bourbon workshop known as Officine di Pietrarsa, which was established in 1840 under the direction of Ferdinand II of Bourbon. This workshop specialized in the production of steam engines for ships and boilers for locomotives. The workshop is divided into pavilions, each dedicated to a different aspect of the production process and now used as exhibition spaces.

The National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa is quite extensive, covering an area of 36,000 square meters and featuring an impressive collection of rolling stock. The collection is showcased within the pavilions of the historic factory.

Pavilion A, once a locomotive assembly and repair facility, now holds 30 locomotives, including a 1939 Bayard locomotive, a twin of the Vesuvio. The steam locomotives on display showcase steam traction's evolution, featuring the "Franco-Crosti," 910, and 740 models.

Pavilions B and C, formerly furnaces, now display a collection of carriages, including a Centoporte wagon, three Littorine, and the E.623 and E.626 models. Notable among them is the opulent No. 10 carriage of the Royal Train, made by Fiat for the wedding of Umberto II of Savoy and Maria José of Belgium, part of a set of eleven.

Pavilion D houses diesel locomotives, Pavilion E is a cinema hall, Pavilion F displays massive machinery from the factory, and the oldest pavilion, built in 1840, is called the "Cathedral" and features train models, railway memorabilia, including the Trecentotreni model.

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Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa on Map

Sight Name: Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa
Sight Location: Naples, Italy (See walking tours in Naples)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

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