Calag Gangloff as part of Lisbon’s cable car history

Due to its topography, the city of Lisbon has been home to urban cable cars for over 100 years. Three cable cars from the 19th century are still in use today as part of the public transport network and as an attraction for the city’s many tourists.

Now another cable car has been added. Since March 12, there has been another cable car in Lisbon, the Funicular da Graça inclined lift, which connects the Mouraria district (Rua dos Lagares) with the Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (often referred to as Miradouro da Graça). The cable car was realised by Steurer Seilbahnen, while the cabin was supplied by Calag Gangloff.

The cabin of the cable car is visually modeled on the historic cable cars of Lisbon, Ascensor do Lavra, Ascensor da Gloria, Ascensor da Bica. The bright yellow of the cabin was complemented by a generous glass front to offer passengers an optimal view of the city during the ride. The shape of the cabin was deliberately designed to be narrow in order to be able to transport as many people as possible per journey despite the cramped conditions on site. Inside, the cabin impresses with elegant wood paneling on the wall elements and a wooden slatted floor. A folding bench seat in matching wood allows 2-3 guests to sit when the cabin is not fully occupied. In addition to the elegant cabin of the inclined lift, the beautifully designed, all-white top and bottom stations of the installation are particularly noteworthy. The Funicular da Graca is therefore a prime example of how a new cable car can be integrated into existing, old urban areas and still retain the charm and elegance of the historic installations. Since its opening, the new cable car has been very well received by both the local population and tourists.

The gondola is a one-off of its kind, built by Calag Gangloff in Switzerland on behalf of cable car manufacturer Steurer. The local architecture firm Atelier Bugio is responsible for the architecture of the cable car and the design of the cabin and stations.