Steep & cheerful
Who doesn’t love sloping off to a train that climbs hills? A funicular is a railway where two counterbalanced cars are permanently attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, and stems from the Latin word funiculus, meaning rope.
The world’s oldest is believed to be the Reisszug, used for ferrying goods up to Hohensalzburg Castle in
Salzburg, Austria, which dates from the turn of the 16th century.
However, most of the older systems which attract tourists derive from Victorian times, with innovative structures still being added today.
If you are so inclined, join our foray through the world’s finest funiculars. Tickets, please!
The colourful Pacific port of Chile is today the spiritual home of the funicular: at its peak there were 30 in operation and today 16 remain, with five operating – some dizzyingly steep or running between buildings – and forming part of a UNESCO world heritage site.
Of the five still in use (the others, including the well-known Artillería, are in various stages of restoration or suspended), the El Peral funicular is one of the most popular tourist attractions and entered service in 1902, linking the flat city centre on a 180ft track to the Cerro Alegre hill at a height of 128ft and a 48-degree gradient, with a view overlooking the port and city centre.
The Barón funicular is also popular as the top station offers another spectacular panoramic viewpoint for photo opportunities.
■■More info: vlpo.cl