Tourism resources being promoted in Sicily by Italia Nostra include the Historical Trains and Cultural Itineraries project for the Noto to Pachino line. Support for cultural heritage sites, buildings, and naturalistic areas in Sicily comes from the Strategic Investment Plan, aimed at creating environmentally sustainable attractions to bring more visitors to lesser known parts of the island.
Easing the heavy visitor flow to Marzamemi
The funding being made available will go to various projects including the old railway line between Noto and Pachino. The aim is to turn it into a tourist and cultural route with passengers travelling by train to Marzamemi, San Lorenzo, Vendicari, Pachino, and Noto. This would greatly ease the currently unsustainable visitor flows into the Vendicari Natural Reserve and the charming seaside village of Marzamemi.
Work is progressing on the tracks and the old stations
This single-track line, which will get funding for a total €62 million, is about 27 kilometres long and is a branch from Noto station, along the Syracuse - Ragusa section, to Pachino. It was built in 1935 and was used for both passenger and freight services, but closed in 1986. Currently it is still usable although the eight stations are in a state of neglect. Work will also have to be done on the three-span bridge over the Tellaro River (180 meters long) and the 10-meter revolving platform in Pachino station. Under the Railways Foundation the project is already underway, and the line should be put into operation within the next three years.
Italia Nostra’s support
The Italia Nostra Val di Noto, Siracusa, and Melilli sections, as well as the Italia Nostra Sicilia regional council, with the aim of supporting the restoration of historic infrastructure in the region, is urging the municipalities of Noto and Pachino to establish a "permanent observatory for the design and execution of works on the Noto-Pachino railway."
