BIKE ROUT
"PARENZANA"
THE ROUTE OF HEALTH AND
FRIENDSHIP
Quick special offer:
Explore the heart of Istria while
cycling
through the most atractive route
of the ex -
railroad!
Being aware of the fabulous beauty trail’s, interwoven into the mild Istrian landscape, numerous passionate walkers, researchers, cyclists and nature lovers have started to visit the famous former railroad in order to discover the railway's geographical, historical and ethnic value arising from the fact that the Parenzana used to connect three countries and their inhabitants.
For those of you who would like to experience this famous journey back through history, QUICK gives the opportunity to enjoy the unforgettable bike tour which follows the most attractive and scenic part of the Parenzana rail route travelling between Grožnjan and Vižinada.
Parenzana ... once upon a time
On September 20th 1876, the eagerly awaited Istrian
railway was solemnly opened. Istrians were disappointed because it was mainly
built for the purpose of the army and having no direct economic and commercial
contribution for "ordinary" people. This railway, with its route travelling
through the middle of the peninsula, was neglecting the cities in hinterland and
it’s products such as olive oil and wine which were not being exposed on the
global market. The 123 km railway line travelled through 9 tunnels, 11
bridges, 6 viaducts and numerous accompanying facilities, such as railway
stations, warehouses, water supply stations, etc. The very first train came from
Trieste to Buie (59km) on April 1st 1902., and soon after, on
December 15th of the same year it travelled from Buie to Poreč
(64km).
The end of Parenzana
However, even its symbolic 33 year operation and 33 marginal Istrian
cities, which the Parenzana connected to the rest of Europe, were not enough for
it to prolong its lifespan.
Soon after it ceased to operate, the Parenzana was being advertised for
public auction where almost everything was sold, cars and locomotives ended up
starting new lives on the Italian railways.A story exists, which history has not been able to verify, which suggests
that rails were dissembled and loaded onto a ship travelling to Abyssinia and
ended up at the bottom Mediterranean Sea instead of Africa for reasons unknown.
Luckily, the memories of the legendary railway did not sink together with the
ship.
