The Lower Funicular has been connecting the centre of Bergamo with the Upper Town (“Città Alta”) for more than 120 years, more precisely with Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, where many business activities used to be carried out. The square (whose name means “shoes market square”) was used as a shoes market since 1430, while the building overlooking the square used to be the headquarter of the shoemakers’ guild and it currently hosts the funicular station.
The city’s funicular is really loved by Bergamo’s citizens, that couldn’t do without it: is there another means of transport allowing you to travel across time, passing through the ancient Venetian walls that used to defend Bergamo from the enemies’ attacks?
Two lovely orange coaches go up and down the hill, surrounded by beautiful gardens and amazing landscapes: when the sky is cloudless you can enjoy a breath-taking view on the Po plain and even catch sight of the Apennines!
Origins. This route was born in 1887, designed by the engineer Alessandro Ferretti. A steam machine used to move the first one with two coaches linked by a back-and-forth motion system, where the weight of the first coach helps the other one to rise.
Modernization. In 1917 both the machines and the stations underwent a modernization, and the two rails became one. In the upper station a waiting room was built, along with a panoramic veranda where you can have a coffee or a drink while staring at the fantastic view over the whole city.
Today. The funicular is currently operating and it just takes you a few minutes to overcome a height difference of 85 meters along 240 meters of distance, where the maximum gradient gets to 52%.
The Lower Funicular has been connecting the centre of Bergamo with the Upper Town (“Città Alta”) for more than 120 years, more precisely with Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, where many business activities used to be carried out. The square (whose name means “shoes market square”) was used as a shoes market since 1430, while the building overlooking the square used to be the headquarter of the shoemakers’ guild and it currently hosts the funicular station.
The city’s funicular is really loved by Bergamo’s citizens, that couldn’t do without it: is there another means of transport allowing you to travel across time, passing through the ancient Venetian walls that used to defend Bergamo from the enemies’ attacks?
Two lovely orange coaches go up and down the hill, surrounded by beautiful gardens and amazing landscapes: when the sky is cloudless you can enjoy a breath-taking view on the Po plain and even catch sight of the Apennines!
Origins. This route was born in 1887, designed by the engineer Alessandro Ferretti. A steam machine used to move the first one with two coaches linked by a back-and-forth motion system, where the weight of the first coach helps the other one to rise.
Modernization. In 1917 both the machines and the stations underwent a modernization, and the two rails became one. In the upper station a waiting room was built, along with a panoramic veranda where you can have a coffee or a drink while staring at the fantastic view over the whole city.
Today. The funicular is currently operating and it just takes you a few minutes to overcome a height difference of 85 meters along 240 meters of distance, where the maximum gradient gets to 52%.
