Page:The International - Volume 3.djvu/221



YEAR ago last spring there was opened in South Tyrol a new railroad, that promises to be an important factor in the development of that country, which, up to the present, has remained in a very backward condition, owing to lack of communication with the outside world. To the tourist, also, the road will be of immense value and of great interest, as it leads through charming landscapes, which at every turn offer new beauties to the eye.

As long ago as in the forties there was a project to build a railroad through the Sugana Valley, in order to render it more accessible and place it in touch with Venice. At that time it was fully believed that a road would be constructed from Trient to Venice by the Austrians. The proposed line was to pass through the Sugana Valley, by way of Bozen-Meran, through Vintsch Pass and Upper Inn Valley to Landeck. Apparently the whole of that plan will now be carried into execution.

When first proposed the undertaking had to be abandoned because of lack of funds, but it was never entirely lost to view. In 1890 another attempt was made to raise the necessary capital, and the project was carefully mapped out. In 1893 the scheme received the approval of the Austrian Government, and in February of the following year the needful permission to commence operations was granted conditionally; the condition being that the Sugana part of the road was to be in working order within two years of commencing operations.

That condition has already been fulfilled, a length of about forty-three and a half miles having been operated. There is only one track. The road commences in the South Road Depot of Trient, six hundred and thirty feet above the sea level. The line winds from Trient over a serpent-like viaduct of almost a mile in length and of imposing appearance. While crossing the viaduct the traveller has an uninterrupted view of the rich, broad Etsch Valley, which stretches far away beneath him, and of the towering heights that shut in the valley on all sides.

Amid these lovely surroundings is situated the populous capital of Welsch Tyrol, old Tridentum, a most picturesquely beautiful legacy of the past. At the last turn of the viaduct the scene suddenly changes,