An urban funicular railway for the purpose of conveying tourists – this was the dream that inspired local politicians at the start of the 20th century. After some truly adventurous travels and a period spent working in his own silver mine in America, Giovanni Pedrazzini was able to use the money he had earned to initiate the project and realise his dream in Switzerland. This led to the commissioning of one of Switzerland’s most spectacular and elegant funicular railway lines in 1906. Since then, the railway has carried tourists to Orselina and the pilgrimage site of Madonna del Sasso. Later on, the facility was also used as a feeder line for the Cardada mountain with its panoramic views.