Artxanda Funicular
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Artxanda Funicular (Basque: Artxandako Funikulara; Spanish: Funicular de Artxanda) is a funicular railway in the city of Bilbao in Spain's Basque Country. It links downtown Bilbao with the recreational area at the summit of the nearby Artxanda Mountain, which has a park, several restaurants, a hotel, a sports complex, and offers panoramic views of the city.
A rack railway to the top of the Artxanda mountain was first proposed in 1901, but not built due to lack of finance. The current funicular was opened in 1915. During the Spanish Civil War the funicular was damaged by bombing, but reopened in 1938. The funicular closed in 1976 after an accident that injured several employees of the operating company, and did not reopen again until 1983.[1]
The Bilbao departure point of the funicular is just north of Zubizuri bridge, on the right bank of the River Nervion, within walking distance of the Guggenheim Museum. Services run every 15 minutes throughout the day. Tickets can be bought at the stations, or the Creditrans card can be used.[2][3]
The funicular has the following technical parameters:[4]
- Length: 770.34 meters
- Height: 226.49 meters
- Maximum steepness: 44,98 %
- Capacity: 70 people per car
- Trip time: 3 minutes
- Configuration: Single track with passing loop
- Traction: Electricity
In 2005 the total number of passengers carried by the Artxanda Funicular was 453,000, a 5% increase on the previous year.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Brief History of the Funicular de Artxanda. Funicular de Artxanda, S.A.. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
- ^ How to get to the Funicular de Artxanda. Funicular de Artxanda, S.A.. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
- ^ Funicular de Artxanda - Timetable / Prices. Funicular de Artxanda, S.A.. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
- ^ Funicular de Artxanda - Technical Characteristic. Funicular de Artxanda, S.A.. Retrieved on February 8, 2007.
- ^ Reports on Public Transport. Biscay Transport Consortium. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Artxanda Funicular web site (in English)
| Transport in and around Bilbao |
 |
|---|---|
|
Creditrans | Metro Bilbao | Cercanías Bilbao | EuskoTran | Bilbobus | BizkaiBus | Artxanda Funicular | Vizcaya Bridge | FEVE | EuskoTren |
|
