Glória Funicular

Category: Civil Architecture > Elevator

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Encarnação

Location

The Glória Funicular establishes a fundamental connection in the heart of Lisbon, uniting the city center, from the vibrant Praça dos Restauradores, to the upper area of Bairro Alto, more precisely to the São Pedro de Alcântara Garden. This particular route crosses one of the steepest inclines in the capital, facilitating the ascent to an area that rises significantly above the center. Its route allows those who use it to comfortably reach the top of the hill.

A Piece of Lisbon's History

Inaugurated on October 24, 1885, the Glória Funicular was the second funicular to be introduced in the city of Lisbon, playing a crucial role in urban mobility since its inception. Its design was the responsibility of the Portuguese engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a prominent figure in the creation of similar transport infrastructure at the time. Initially, the traction system operated using a water and cable counterweight, later evolving to steam and, in September 1915, to electricity. Despite the mechanical modernizations, the funicular retains a large part of its original features and was recognized as a National Monument in February 2002.

A curious historical detail reveals that, during night journeys in the 19th century, the interior lighting of its cars was done with candles, lending a particular atmosphere to the journeys of the time. The two cars that make up the funicular, numbered 1 and 2, were built in Germany by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen and their interiors preserve the charm of a past industrial era, with wooden panels and brass details.

The Route and Its Character

The journey aboard the Glória Funicular, with its 265 meters in length, is a unique way to experience Lisbon's winding terrain. Along the steep route, which features a notable incline, the two funicular cars meet and cross halfway through the journey. This ascent offers a moment of rest while enjoying a different perspective of the street. The track along which the funicular glides is also known for its emphasis on urban art, with the panels that flank it serving as a canvas for various expressions of local creativity. The cultural relevance of the Glória Funicular also extends to music, having been the subject of a song by a Portuguese band in the 1980s, and to sports, with the revival of an old cycling race, the "Subida à Glória" (Glória Climb), which challenges the funicular's incline.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt