The BERGAMO CITTÀ ALTA funicular railway was constructed in 1887 and designed by Alessandro Ferretti. Steam power was used initially with two coaches linked by cable and counter-balancing each other. This funicular railway is used to connect the centre of Bergamo with the Upper Town (Città Alta) at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe. In this square shoes have been made since 1430 and the building that was the headquarters of the shoemakers’ guild is now the funicular railway station.
1917 both vehicles and stations were modernised. Stigler carriages were installed between 1920 and 1921 and both stations of Bergamo Bassa and Bergamo Alta renovated. The upper station at this time was extensively modernised with a waiting room and a prestigious panoramic veranda giving spectacular views over the city. More repairs came in 1954 and two panoramic carriages in 1964. A further restoration came in 1987 with modern automation arriving in 2008.
The height difference is 85 meters with 240 meters of distance travelled for the right track and 234 metres for the left track; the maximum gradient is 52%. There are two carriages with 50 seats each.
11 окт 2024
