Associazione Torinese Tram Storici

Torino has the oldest tram network system in Italy, which has been in operation since 1871, and the second largest. The Associazione Torinese Tram Storici — how can you not love a city that has one? — conserves many of the original vehicles, and regularly offers tours around the city center.

Today they offered a 20-minute ride inside the oldest one, n. 116, built in 1911, from the Teatro Regio stop in piazza Castello through the Giardini Reali to piazza Carlina and back, during which the ATTS guides tell the stories of the many trams and their uses, from serving as ambulances in the World Wars to carrying merchandise to street markets and even coffins to graveyards.

It is amazing to ride a tram that is more than a hundred years old and see how much beauty and attention to detail was once put into even seemingly banal and ordinary objects as public transportation vehicles. Just like the scenery of some of the oldest and equally beautiful parts of town passing by in the background, it is a reminder that not long ago society still had its priorities right.