Two months ago, Switzerland\u2019s ambassador to Greece, Stefan Estermann, and Swiss Professor Emeritus Bernd Scholl \u2013 a noted philhellene and leading expert in spatial development \u2013 walked along the now-silent tracks of the Peloponnesian Railway. From the Fichti station near Mycenae to Nemea near Corinth, they covered 40 kilometers, pausing frequently to examine the historic railway line that, for decades, connected the towns and villages of southern Greece\u2019s Peloponnese peninsula.<\/p>\n
Since the railway ceased operations in 2011, this marks the first dynamic effort to revive it. The initiative is driven by a Greek-Swiss partnership, led by the Elliniki Etairia \u2013 Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET) and the Swiss Embassy in Greece. Ambassador Estermann spoke to Kathimerini about his and his compatriots\u2019 interest in gradually bringing this historic railway \u2013 originally inspired by the vision of late prime minister Harilaos Trikoupis \u2013 back to life.<\/p>\n
\n\u2018It is a \u201cmuseum\u201d of cultural and industrial heritage, seamlessly integrated into the magnificent natural landscape of the Peloponnese\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cOur very first weekend excursions after our arrival in Greece in September 2022 took us to the Peloponnese. In addition to the wonderful beaches, picturesque mountain villages and world-famous historical sites, I quickly discovered traces of the old Peloponnese Railway. Here a track that suddenly crosses the road, there was an abandoned station building. This immediately sparked my curiosity,\u201d Estermann says. When ELLET reached out to seek his support for the railway revival plan, he says, he already had his response prepared.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew immediately: This is something for me as the Swiss ambassador. We Swiss have railways everywhere. We grow up with them and they are part of our everyday lives. The railway brings people together, it stimulates discussion and evokes emotions. And of course, we also have a railway industry that offers the most modern, customized solutions. That is my \u2018commercial hidden agenda,\u2019 so to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gradual reopening<\/h3>\n
At this stage of the plan, the primary goal is to conduct a feasibility study, complemented by a realistic business plan, to facilitate the gradual reopening of the railway with an emphasis on safety and sustainability. The initial objective is to restore train operations along the route from Corinth to Tripoli. After an on-site inspection with Professor Scholl from ETH Zurich, Switzerland\u2019s leading technical university, the ambassador determined that the existing railway infrastructure is in relatively good condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe even got the impression at times that all it would take is to cut back some bushes and the trains could run again. Of course we know that it is not like that everywhere. But we realized one thing: The existing infrastructure is already of great value in itself. If the line had to be built from zero into the untouched landscape, hundreds of millions of euros would have to be spent. It is, therefore, economically irresponsible and wasteful not to make use of this infrastructure and to leave it to further decay.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Estermann explains to Kathimerini, the Swiss understand the value of railways for tourism and how local passenger transport can contribute to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a railroad nation, we have extensive experience in operating railways, especially in mountainous areas. And we know that narrow gauge is not a handicap, but can be operated with great efficiency. It is this experience and knowhow that we would like to share. We want to bring together all the relevant stakeholders and support them in the planning.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, he stresses, \u201cit is clear to us that reopening the railroad only makes sense if it is economically viable.\u201d<\/p>\n
A \u2018hidden gem\u2019<\/h3>\n
The effort to revive the railway dates back to 2016, when a study conducted by ETH Zurich, in collaboration with Greece\u2019s National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and University of Patras, focused on the railway connection to Patra and brought attention to the dormant Peloponnesian Railway.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe discovered a hidden gem,\u201d says Irini Frezadou, an architect and spatial planner who, at the time, coordinated the research efforts of the three universities. She explains:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has all the characteristics that make a railway unique for both passenger and tourism use. It is a \u2018museum\u2019 of cultural and industrial heritage, seamlessly integrated into the magnificent natural landscape of the Peloponnese. The railway passes through numerous historic sites, including battlefields from the 1821 Greek War of Independence, and connects two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Mycenae and Olympia. It also traverses the stunning wine-producing villages of Nemea, and the architecture of its stations, combined with the surrounding nature, makes it a significant monument in its own right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frezadou, a board member of ELLET and coordinator of the Greek-Swiss initiative for the railway\u2019s revival, continues:<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2020, ELLET reactivated the idea, which had stalled in the meantime, and integrated it into proposals to mark the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence. The concept was \u2013 and remains \u2013 to restart the railway while establishing small museums at each station to showcase the history of each area, from antiquity and Byzantine times up to 1821. Additionally, each station would feature corners for displaying and selling local products from the region. The railway itself is a historic landmark, shaped in the 19th century by Trikoupis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this railway, Trikoupis connected the breadbaskets of the Peloponnese \u2013 the plateaus of Kalavryta and Tripoli \u2013 with the cities and villages. He dared to penetrate the mountainous terrain, building beautiful stone bridges at Manaris, Makri and elsewhere, blending stone with other materials. His goal was to nourish a poor Greece by linking the mountain villages of the Peloponnese,\u201d Frezadou emphasizes, underscoring the need for these stations to serve as beacons for restoring social and economic cohesion in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are beautiful mountain villages that are nearly abandoned. Young people could return to these places, revitalize the area and simultaneously address the region\u2019s transportation issues. For example, Nafplio is overwhelmed by cars. Imagine how compelling it would be for visitors, both Greek and foreign, to take the suburban railway and then transfer to the Peloponnesian Railway for such an experience,\u201d she concludes.<\/p>\n
The Swiss have estimated the value of the Peloponnesian Railway at \u20ac2 billion. Since 2009, \u20ac80 million has already been invested in renovating the line from Corinth to Kalamata, as Frezadou points out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese funds are just sitting there, dormant. To avoid wasting them, the railway\u2019s revival must proceed swiftly,\u201d she emphasizes, recalling a proposal by Lydia Carras, president of ELLET, at an event held in Nafplio in early December. This event marked the second step in the Greek-Swiss initiative (the first took place in March 2024), where the idea of co-financing the feasibility study through crowdfunding was proposed, to ensure that the train will soon whistle again in the Peloponnese.<\/p>\n
Closure\u2019s impact<\/h3>\n
The impact of the railway\u2019s closure in 2011 is clearly reflected in the demographic decline of villages like Fichtia.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the Mycenaean period, it was an important village due to its location along the passage to the Argolid plain. It thrived even in modern times until 2010. However, by the 2011 census, 18% of its population had already left,\u201d Frezadou notes, pointing out the enthusiasm expressed by much of the Peloponnesian community for the potential revival of the railway.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt ELLET, we are confident in the project\u2019s viability. We have already laid the groundwork in collaboration with Swiss experts and hope that the recent promises made by stakeholders at the Nafplio event to explore financing options for the feasibility study will come to fruition,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
Frezadou also cites the Swiss Rhaetian Railway\u2019s Albula and Bernina lines as a model for the project \u2013 historic railways that traverse breathtaking Alpine landscapes and are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.<\/p>\n
For the Swiss ambassador to Athens, the effort to revive Trikoupis\u2019 historic narrow-gauge railway is more relevant than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor visitors to the Peloponnese, the train would be a unique selling point: The world-famous attractions of the Peloponnese would be connected by a historic railway. The train would be loaded with history and heritage, and at the same time run on the most modern technologies, including \u2018green\u2019 hydrogen propulsion. What could make Greece shine more than that?\u201d<\/p>\n
The ambassador shares with Kathimerini the metaphor he chose to describe the current state of the railway:<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than ever, tourism is about storytelling, about experiences. The historic Peloponnese Railway offers the potential for a unique experience and tells a great story. It is a sleeping beauty waiting to be kissed awake.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n