RAILWAY STATION
Talk of railways first started in Grumo in 1864, a vision that would change the country forever. The Bari-Taranto railway line kindled this dream, connecting cities and carrying travellers and goods. The expanses of vineyards and fields were replaced by sleepers, gravel and gleaming iron. On 1st March 1898 at the station opening in Grumo, the freshly laid stones and the silence of anticipation held the promise of a place which was to become a crossroads. In 1915 a second line was opened, connecting the towns near Bari, and the town suddenly found itself closer to the rest of the world.The railways told different stories: two for passengers and one for goods bringing wealth. A young man named Sergio watched from a bench on the platform as his father, the station master, worked.
Every morning, before taking the train to school in Altamura, he watched him marking off arrivals and departures, giving out tickets and speaking on the phone. Those daily observations told of expectation, farewells and homecomings. Some years later, Sergio Rubini transformed those memories into art. In 1990 his first film, La Stazione, was inspired by those years: the story of a lonely station master and of a woman fleeing from her boyfriend, of moonlight meetings and the sound of trains. The film was well received and confirmed the talent of the young director. Today trains continue to arrive and depart towards Bari and Matera. A cycle path departs from the station leading through country roads, farmhouses and ruined churches with their history of Carbonari and brigands, legends and faith.