Ascensor do Lavra
| Lavra Funicular | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Native name | Ascensor do Lavra |
| Status | Suspended for inspection |
| Locale | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Stations | 2 |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Operator(s) | Carris |
| History | |
| Opened | 19 April 1884 |
| Technical | |
| Track length | 188 m (617 ft) |
| Track gauge | 900 mm (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in) |
| Electrification | Overhead, 600 V DC |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | National Monument |
| Designated | 19 February 2002 |
| Reference no. | IPA.00003040 |
The Ascensor do Lavra, also known as the Elevador do Lavra or Lavra Funicular, is a funicular railway in Lisbon, Portugal. Opened in 1884, the railway is the oldest funicular in the city. The 188m-long funicular connects Largo da Anunciada to Rua Câmara Pestana in the parishes of Santo António and Arroios. The average grade is 22.9 % and the railway gauge is 900 mm with a central slot for the cable's connection. It had been in operation almost continuously for 141 years. Two new, identical, vehicles were constructed by German engineering company Maschinenfabrik Esslingen,[1] almost identical and same design as Glória Elevator with a steel base carriage with wheels, a wood interior with 2 long wood benches along steel walls with glass windows, all painted in exterior with yellow and white colors.[2] The Elevador do Lavra opened on April 19, 1884,[3] and was designed by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard.[4] Currently, the funicular is owned and operated by Carris. Elevador do Lavra was designated a National Monument in 2002.[4] The vehicles are interleaved on the lower section, move only at the same time; as one ascends the other descends, each car acting as a counterweight to the other, the weight of the descending car helping to pull the other one up.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Khalip, Andrei (2025-09-04). "Key facts about Lisbon's historic cable railway". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
The two identical cars, numbered 1 and 2, were built by the German company Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.
- ^ Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman (2025-09-04). "What is Lisbon's funicular cable and how does it work?". The Independent. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ^ "Timeline of the Lisbon (Portugal) Rail Transit Network". CityRailTransit. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ a b "SIPA listing".
- ^ "Ficha Técnica: Ascensor" [Technical File: Funicular] (in Portuguese). Carris de Ferro de Lisboa. Retrieved 4 September 2025.