Streetcars are one of the symbols of the city of Milan, a bit like for the Portuguese Lisbon: yet, perhaps not everyone knows the story of the old suburban streetcar Gamba de Legn’, a “historic” car, to say the least, which is nostalgically thought about today.
This tramway-whose name is more than curious-dates back to the second half of the nineteenth century, indeed, its origin is linked precisely to the date of September 9, 1878; on that day, in fact, the act of concession was drawn up that gave the go-ahead for the construction of a steam tramway that would connect Milan with Magenta, Saronno, Lodi, Pavia and other urban centers, covering a stretch of almost 23 kilometers.
Of the origin of its name we are still unsure and, as always, there are several versions: some say that the streetcar was called “gamba de legn'” because of its uncertain gait and the suboptimal state of the convoy. According to others, the nickname would instead derive from one of the company’s employees, equipped with a wooden leg, who on foggy days would announce with a whistle the streetcar’s arrival in towns and cities. Or again, it is said that one of the employees who gave notice of the coming of the steam streetcar through the city streets was run over by the vehicle and lost his leg as a result.
The historical value of the Gamba de Legn’ streetcar for the Milanese capital.
This steam streetcar, whose engines were manufactured by the German Lokomotivfabrik Krauss, had an increasing importance over the years for the citizens of Milan, but especially for those who could not afford to live in the city and needed to reach it every day for work purposes. In fact, it could be said-without daring-that the steam streetcar inaugurated the ever-growing phenomenon of commuting in the Po Valley: this particular interurban means of transport, despite a maximum speed of 15 km/h, represented in fact for all workers and people who were not lucky enough to live in the city the cheapest and most efficient alternative for moving from the suburbs to the center.
It was also a particularly advantageous means of transportation for an area characterized by frequent flooding of rivers such as the Seveso: in fact, unlike electric streetcars, the use of the steam tramway was not at all limited in the event of road flooding.
Nor did the streetcar stop during wartime; on the contrary, the Gamba de Legn’ played a major role during the period of World War II, when it served as a means of evacuating the city and transporting people to the countryside, sheltering them from the constant nighttime bombardment.
The affection and recognition nurtured by the Milanese towards the Gamba de Legn’ found testimony especially on August 31, 1957, when the streetcar departed for its last run from the depot at Corso Vercelli 33 and a great many people who had used it over the years showed up to give him “their last farewell.”
Unforgettable among its historical routes is the Naviglio Pavese in the direction of Pavia.
NEIADE Tour & Events’ streetcar tours through the streets of Milan.
Taking a streetcar in Milan is therefore an experience not to be missed and can also prove to be a great way to explore the city by looking at it from a different perspective than usual.
In this regard, the team of NEIADE Tour & Events has come up with some very special guided tours, which take place precisely aboard Milan’s streetcars, the beautiful 1920s cars.
You can choose from different types of experiences: for example, you can admire the picturesque old town of Milan enjoying the view from one of the historic streetcars, such as the 1503 car, or you can entertain yourself in a gastronomic tasting – starring the timeless and unique saffron risotto – to be enjoyed express aboard the streetcar! Finally, you can choose to live this fantastic experience in the middle of the night, when the street lamps are lit and the city glows with even more magical charm: the plunge into the past and the vintage atmosphere are guaranteed!
How about you? Would you like to take part in such a special tour with us? We are waiting for you!
Here’s another article you might be interested in: Hayez’s Kiss: the story behind the romantic painting.
