Which pope had a throne, a balcony, and an altar on his own train?

• In search of our ancestors: An expedition sets off on the coast of Uruguay to study the microorganisms that gave rise to life; Understands

Roma-Felletri-Ceprano and Roma-Ancona-Bologna. In this scenario, the companies Pio Centrale and Pio Latina, which are responsible for the railway lines in the Papal States, planned to offer a special train for the Pope.

It was built in France in 1858, at a cost of 140,000 francs, and consists of three carriages, each with a specific function. The first two carriages – the throne carriage and the balcony carriage, also called Loggia delle Benedizioni – were created by Delettrez et Compagnie.

The third car, known as the Church Car, was manufactured in Paris at the facilities of the Compagnie Générale des Matériels de Chemins de Fer, under a design by engineer and architect Emile Trillat. Its ceilings are decorated with frescoes by Jean-Léon Gérôme and Charles-Antoine Cambon, depicting the Pope inaugurating a train and a ship, symbolizing his intention to present himself as a leader in keeping with the modern era.

The church car was the most ornate, equipped with an altar and liturgical furniture, allowing the Pope to celebrate Mass during his travels. The throne car – with yellow and white upholstery – was more closed and austere, intended for official meetings and long journeys, and served as a work and rest area.

The third carriage, the balcony or panoramic carriage, had open windows and Solomonic columns, giving it the appearance of a “mobile loggia.” From there, Pius IX was able to greet and bless the faithful at the stations, and to approach the people as never before. The Pope’s coat of arms is painted in large letters on one of the carriages.

The wagons were transported from France to Italy in 1859, first across the Rhone to Marseille, then by sea to Civitavecchia and then to Ripa Grande, south of the Tiver River. Pius IX made his maiden voyage on 3 July 1859, setting off from Porta Maggiore station in Rome bound for Cecchina (Albano) station near Castel Gandolfo.

This maiden voyage marked the beginning of a series of journeys made by the Pope across his lands, using innovative railway infrastructure that he himself championed. The last voyage with the Pontiff on board was in 1863, from Rome to Frosinone, and was recorded in the famous photographs at Velletri station.

In about 1870, with the capture of Rome by Italian forces, the Papal State ended. With the unification of Italy, the train was decommissioned and abandoned, first at Civitavecchia and then at Termini station, where part of its decoration was removed.

From oblivion to restoration

Only in 1911, when displayed in Castel Sant’Angelo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unification of Italy, was the train recognized as a historical artifact. The state company Ferrovie dello Stato took over its restoration, carrying out a preliminary restoration to preserve it.

Around 1930, the state donated the train to the city of Rome, which transported it to the Museum of Rome on Via dei Cerchi. On August 8, 1951, the carriages were transported to the new headquarters in the Braschi Palace, in a display that impressed the Romans, even enlarging an opening in the facade of Piazza Navona.

In 2010, the train was moved to the Centrale Montemartini, an archeology museum located in a former thermoelectric station, part of the Capitoline Museums, where it has been on display since 2016 in the boiler room No. 2. The contrast between the classical statues and the large decommissioned machines creates a fascinating dialogue between old and new.