Visits to the Motorship “La Capitanio”
From Thursday 18 May 2023 to Sunday 21 May 2023 - h. 10:30
On the occasion of the Patronal Holidays of Lovere, the “La Capitanio 1926” Association will for the first time open the gates of the historical motor boat launched in 1926 in honor of the Saint who was beatified in that year.
The boat can be visited, on the lakefront at the landing stage on the following days:
– on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th May: from 17:00 to 21:00;
– on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May: from 10:30 to 12:30 and from 16:00 to 21:30.
Access to the motor vessel will be possible through a 15-minutes guided tour in groups of up to 10 people. It is possible to book your visit at the station on the pier.
“Built in 1926, “La Capitanio” was originally equipped with a steam engine, but after a few years it was replaced with a diesel engine.
Her name was a celebration for the beatification of Bartolomea Capitanio, founder of the order of the Sisters of Charity, which took place in the year of the construction of the boat.
She was used as a ferry for the Steam Navigation Company of Lake Iseo, until its dissolution in 1932.
In the 1950s she was used as a tug for Italsider used to tow the railway barges from their plant in Lovere (today’s Lucchini RS plant) to the Paratico yard.
When she was decommissioned, she was purchased in succession by several private shipowners who saved her from disarmament and, through various refittings, brought her to her current wonderful form. The superstructures were changed numerous times, but the metal hull has remained the same since 1926.
Starting from 2023, the “La Capitanio”, thanks to a joint action of the new shipowners and the institutions, wants to become a heritage and historical memory of navigation on Lake Iseo, sailing towards the 100-year milestone in all her glory.”
Image credits: Tonsi Claudio