Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yvjrdcw4ky
The northern Adriatic in the light of the 200th anniversary of railways in the world
Josip Orbanić
Abstract
The first public railway line powered by steam locomotive was opened in England
two hundred years ago. This was one of the most significant steps of the industrial revolution that considerably contributed to the transformation of the world into a modern
society. Railways developed rapidly in the field of freight and passenger transport; they
dominated the transport market for more than a century. This paper studies, analyses
and concisely synthesises the role of railways in the development of the Northern Adriatic. Our objective is to briefly shed light on that time and the events of key importance
for the further development of this area and its strategic position in economic, transport
and social terms – for Europe and our regions. Special emphasis has been put on the
initial ideas, the construction of the earliest railways, and the accompanying dilemmas
and difficulties. Railways connect the interior of the then Habsburg Monarchy with the
Northern Adriatic. They represent a key development and economic factor of the ports,
the port system, shipping, and the economy and mobility in this part of Europe.
Keywords
Northern Adriatic; railway; traffic; seaport; economy; mobility.
Hrčak ID:
346843
URI
Publication date:
24.4.2026.
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