Quiet Moments in Fognano

Each day of our visit to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy was filled with new sights and activities, and we eagerly welcomed every opportunity. After one such experience, an educational and energetic walking tour of the olive groves on the hills of Brisighella, we stopped briefly in nearby Fognano. It is a small village along the River Lamone. Perhaps the most important landmark in Fognano is St. Peter’s Church (Chiesa di San Pietro) which dates back to 1464.

But I was taken in by Fognano’s quiet railway station.

"Fognano railway station in Emilia-Romagna region of Italy"

Fognano railway station

Train travel is a treat for me, especially in many parts of Europe where it’s such an efficient manner of transportation. So many of the stations are also architectural gems. Fognano was different from most I’ve experienced which have usually been much larger and busier. After navigating the bustling railway stations in Milan and Bologna just a few days earlier, the contrast was striking.

"Exterior of Fognano, Italy railway station"

Fognano Railway Station

Perhaps when there are fairs and festivals taking place in and around Fognano, this station sees more activity. It may have a completely different look and ambiance. But on this day, there were no passengers on the platform and it seemed nearly abandoned, yet obviously well-maintained. Maybe just minutes before, it had been a scene of people dashing to get on a train. But I rather doubt that.

"Fognano Italy railway station waiting room"

Waiting room at Fognano railway station

I liked the subtle colors of the waiting room that was empty of passengers, but full of stories it could tell of travels past.

"Railway tracks at Fognano station , Brisighella municipality of Fognano"

Railway tracks at Fognano station

I’d like to visit this little station again sometime to see if it still affects me the same way and looks just like it did on the day I was there. Maybe I’ll experience it next time as a passenger, happy to be arriving in Emilia-Romagna.

What railway stations have captured your interest and imagination?

Our thanks to the Associazione Nazionale Alberghi Diffusi for making our Emilia-Romagna experience possible.

I’m linking this post to Noel Morata’s Travel Photo Monday series on his Travel Photo Discovery site. Take a look at his gorgeous photos and the links to other submissions.

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29 thoughts on “Quiet Moments in Fognano

    1. Catherine Sweeney Post author

      The surrounding area was very beautiful with vineyards and olive groves. Then to find this quiet little station was an extra treat.

  1. Jackie Smith

    This reminds me of the train station in Osuna, Spain. A quiet little charmer that had served the community for a century – the tales those train stations could tell! Beautiful post, Cathy!

  2. Patti

    We had dinner at a tiny railroad station in Tongariro National Park in pretty much the middle of no where in New Zealand. We met a friend for dinner and not only was the dinner wonderful – each time a train (maybe 2 or 3) rolled by the whole building quaked just a bit with the roar of the train. It was a memory I will never forget.

  3. Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans

    I haven’t traveled much by train. The last train ride that I recall taking was from Montreal to Quebec during the fall and it was so perfectly scenic. I like your attention to detail as a lot of people wouldn’t pay much attention to a train station – just the views along the ride. You offer a unique perspective!

    1. Catherine Sweeney Post author

      I like to take photos of trains and at stations, but usually the stations are the big ones with all kinds of ornate features and bustling activity.

  4. Jennifer

    I actually much prefer traveling by car in Italy. The train generally ends up being as expensive as driving for two people anyhow and I find the trains to be somewhat limiting since they don’t access every town.

    1. Catherine Sweeney Post author

      I hear you that train travel in Italy is not quite like some other European countries. We only took trains twice in Italy — Milan to Bologna and Rimini to Foggia — which worked out very well. But the rest of the time, our guide was driving us — a great way to see Italy!

  5. noel

    I love places like this, the old patina and faded colors, it does tell wonderful stories and I think of old Italian movies. I think you beat me to a beautiful post like this, excellent job.

  6. Ruth

    It reminds me of the time that my daughter and I stayed at a B&B made from an old train station in Herefordshire. There is just something about old train stations that pleases the eyes.

    1. Catherine Sweeney Post author

      It was, indeed, a treat! I would have liked to hang around until a train came in to see who got on/off, but we had to move along.

  7. Iain Mallory

    I think it’s great when the unexpected things grab the imagination. Railway stations, old churches can often be so captivating, just looking at these pics makes me want to visit here.

  8. Marisol

    Hi Cathy, what a charming post. I love European train travels, too. On our last trip to Italy, after traveling through several crazy busy train stations it was such refershing to travel to and from the train station in Castagneto Carducci in the Tuscan Coast. It was so quiant, charming and laidback like the one in Fognano.

  9. alessandra

    Actually Fognano station is on a special line that goes from Faenza to Florence directly. People use it to go to work, but also curious tourists take this charming line which is plenty of these little and almost abandoned stations. In october there is also a very old steam train for the main event, the chestnuts fair in Marradi. Hope you will have the chance to visit this area. I live in the area and I sometimes take bloggers here as I did with my project Romagna Diffusa Blog Tour and the blog where I tell the stories of Romagna (21grammy.com). Cathy will be again with me at the end of September, wow:)

  10. Pingback: Exploring Verdi’s Hometown, Imperial Palaces of Capri and Emilia-Romagna « Italy Hotline Custom and Gourmet Tours Blog

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