Circumetnea Railway – Catania Borgo Station
The Catania Borgo station is the eastern terminus of the Ferrovia Circumetnea, a historic narrow-gauge railway that encircles Mount Etna in Sicily. Opened in 1898 after three years of construction, the line connects the volcanic slopes’ agricultural towns and today serves both commuters and heritage travellers making the classic circuit around Europe’s largest active volcano.
At a glance
- Type
- Narrow-gauge railway terminus station
- Period
- Constructed 1895–1898; opened for service 1898
- Style
- Late 19th-century utilitarian railway architecture
- Location
- Via Caronda, Catania, Sicily, Italy
- Coordinates
- 37.5215° N, 15.0845° E
Overview
The Ferrovia Circumetnea is a 950 mm narrow-gauge regional railway line in Sicily, constructed between 1895 and 1898 to connect the communities on the slopes of Mount Etna. Catania Borgo station serves as the main eastern terminus and interchange point, linking the Circumetnea with Catania’s broader public transport network. The roughly 110-kilometre route is one of Italy’s most scenic heritage railways, offering views of Etna’s volcanic landscape throughout the journey.
History
The Circumetnea railway was conceived in the 1890s to improve transport and commerce for the farming communities cultivating Etna’s fertile volcanic slopes. Construction began in 1895 and the full line was inaugurated in 1898, running from Catania Borgo around the volcano to Riposto on the Ionian coast. The railway was initially operated under a concession system and has remained a functioning regional line for well over a century. The Catania Borgo terminus underwent modernisation works in the 20th century as the city expanded and urban rail needs evolved.
What you see
The station building at Catania Borgo is a compact late-19th-century terminus with a modest façade typical of Italian provincial railway architecture of the period. The narrow-gauge platforms accommodate the small rolling stock of the Circumetnea, which uses 950 mm track gauge rather than the standard Italian 1435 mm. From the station forecourt, passengers can connect to Catania’s metro and bus services. The surrounding Borgo district retains a residential character with glimpses of Etna visible on clear days to the northwest.
Cultural significance
The Ferrovia Circumetnea is considered one of Italy’s most evocative heritage rail journeys, offering travellers an unhurried panoramic circuit of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The line preserves a form of slow travel that recalls 19th-century Sicilian rural life and is listed among Italy’s most picturesque regional railways. For cultural heritage enthusiasts, riding the full circuit from Catania Borgo around Etna and back provides access to a series of small Sicilian towns and archaeological sites otherwise difficult to reach.
Practical information
Address: Via Caronda, 95128 Catania CT, Italy. The station is the eastern terminus of the Ferrovia Circumetnea. Check the official FCE website (circumetnea.it) for current timetables, fares, and service updates. The full circuit around Etna takes approximately three to four hours by train.
Getting there
Catania Borgo station is located in the northern part of central Catania, reachable by Catania Metro (Borgo station on Line 1 / the Circumetnea urban section) or by local bus from Catania Centrale FS railway station. By car, the station is signposted from the city centre; street parking is available in the surrounding district.