Zagreb funicular put into operation 130 years ago today
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Zagreb funicular
ZAGREB, 8 October 2020 – One of the Croatian capital’s most recognisable attractions celebrates its birthday today.
Zagreb’s famous funicular, which connects Ilica with Strossmayer promenade from Tomić street, turns 130 today.
The symbol of the city which connected the lower and upper town for the first time was officially opened and put into operation back on 8 October 1890.
The 66-metre (217 ft) track makes it one of the shortest public-transport funiculars in the world and since it has been functional there has not been one accident or an injured passenger.
Initially, it had steam engines, which were substituted with electrical engines in 1934. Having in mind that it kept its original shape, constructional and most of the technical properties, it was given legal protection as a monument of culture.
As well as being one of the shortest, it is also one of the steepest funiculars in the world. It runs at a speed of 1.5 m/s, needing 55 seconds to cross the distance.
Around 750,000 tourists annually use the funicular.
