Travels in Tuscany--Montecatini (Part 2 of 4)

Now, from the lower town, let's make our way to the hilltop town, Montecatini Alto.

Should we hike or take the "funicolare"?  Two votes for the funicolare carries the day.  (What is a funiclare, or funicular in English?  Check it out below.)

Montecatini Alto is the original town and built high atop a steep hill.  While building and living at the top of a hill might have been challenging, defending the town from unwanted visitors was much easier from up high. 

The town sits along a narrow ridge between two peaks.  We toured the entire village end to end and saw some fascinating sights.   

The lower station for the funicular.

A view from inside the wooden car.   A cable pulls the car on rails up the steep hill.  The maximum incline is about 35 degrees.  So, we started out leaning forward in our seats at the start of the journey and leaning back in our seats when we reached the maximum incline.

From inside the wooden car, looking down the hill

View of Montecatini Alto from the upper funicular station

View of Montecatini Terme from Montecatini Alto

Panoramic view of Montecatini Alto and, in the distance, Montecatini Terme

At one end of the town, we visited a church and bell tower. 

On a wall along a street, a shrine with multiple symbols

Another view of the shrine

Next up:  The other half of Montecatini Alto.