1 Bica Funicular
The Bica Funicular, opened in 1892, was the third of its kind built in Lisbon. It is one of the town's major tourist attractions, along with the Santa Justa, Lavra and Glória elevators. The Bica Lift consists of two carriages, each with three uneven compartments and independent access, capable of carrying 23 passengers (of which nine seated). Designed by the Portuguese engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, it operated initially by the effect of water balance (the coach who began the descent filled a water tank on its roof and the force of weight coupled with the gravitational force of the slope allowed the tow car to come up). In 1896, this funicular began using a steam engine and was later electrified in 1914, but then a serious accident has kept it stopped until 1923. Like its "brothers", Glória and Lavra elevators, it was classified as a National Monument in 2002.
The Bica Funicular differs from its congeners by its proximity to the river and the scenic attributes of the area where operates. This lift journey begins in an eighteenth century building near the Cais do Sodré (at the point where the Rua de São Paulo meets Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo) facing a steep slope to Largo do Calhariz, at the entrance of Bairro Alto. The short ride provides a unique view over the river while passing through a popular and typical neighbourhood. The Bica Lift works every day of the week from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. On Sundays and public holidays, it only starts operating at 9 a.m.
2 Santa Justa Elevator
Santa Justa Elevator, also known as Elevador do Carmo, was inaugurated in July 1902. The project is from Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a native of Oporto with French ancestry. This engineer studied in France and was a contemporary of Gustave Eiffel, the great master of the iron architecture characteristic of the Industrial Revolution. The Santa Justa Elevator, 148 feet (45 meters) high and built entirely in wrought iron, makes the connection between rua do Ouro and largo do Carmo. It is built in neo-Gothic style with decorative filigree and was classified as a National Monument in 2002.
This is one of four public elevators in operation in Lisbon, with Lavra, Glória and Bica, but is the only operating vertically. Driven initially by steam, it is powered by electricity since 1907. Passenger’s transport is made in two elegant wooden cabins with brass accessories, each with a capacity for 20 people. The rise in these cabins allows access to a 82 feet (25 meters) walkway, which leads the passengers into largo do Carmo. This pedestrian bridge was closed after the great fire of Chiado in 1988, but was reopened in 2005. Besides being an unique monument in Lisbon, Santa Justa Elevator has also a fantastic view over the city.
The terrace is reached via a narrow spiral staircase and offers a panoramic view of the São Jorge Castle, Rossio square and the Baixa area. This elevator is open every day from 7 am to 10 pm, extending its working hours until 11 pm in summer. The lower box office is located behind the iron tower, under the stairs in rua do Carmo. The ticket is valid for two trips and includes access to the belvedere. You can also just go to the belvedere, every day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm (ticket costs 1.50 euros). Prepare for the queues of tourists who continually form in both entries of this elevator. There is an Italian restaurant on the walkway to largo do Carmo, the Bella Lisa Elevador.3 Glória Funicular
Elevador da Glória was inaugurated on October 24th 1885 and it is a National Monument since 2002. It was the second of its kind constructed in Lisbon, after elevador da Lavra and before elevador da Bica and elevador de Santa Justa. The Portuguese engineer of French origin Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard designed it to be moved through a combination of rack and cable, by the effect of water balance. It has been operating on electricity since 1915. Its two German-made carriages are identical and composed by two command posts, one in each of its extremes. The passengers’ space is composed of two benches, placed against the windows. The entrances and exits from the cars are made by two doors with flexible safety barriers, near the command post of the ascending carriage. By the late nineteenth century, the night lighting of the cabins was made with candles.
The Glória Funicular offers its passengers the opportunity to rise to the neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto, Chiado and Príncipe Real, starting from the Praça dos Restauradores. The 870 feet (265 meters) trip begins next to the Palácio Foz and ends a few steps from the miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon's historic center. Elevador da Glória remains the city's busiest, being used both by local residents and by visitors. The trip hours are from 7 am to midnight, but on Fridays and Saturdays it extends up to 12:30 am. On Sundays and public holidays, it begins operating only after 9 am.4 Lavra Funicular
The Lavra is the oldest funicular or elevator in Lisbon and is still used (some of the city’s early elevators were deactivated long ago). It was inaugurated on 19th April 1884 and just like the Glória and Bica funiculars and the Santa Justa elevator, the Lavra was classified as a national monument (2002). It runs between largo da Anunciada and rua Câmara Pestana, rising 617 feet up the steep calçada do Lavra which joins the avenida da Liberdade to campo dos Mártires da Pátria. Like other elevators in Lisbon, it was designed by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard.
The Lavra funicular has two carriages (each one with a capacity of 42 people) which are both composed of two command areas and a central space for passengers with benches along the windows. The entrance and exit of the carriages are the two doors placed at the end of the carriage where the active command area is located. Initially, the funicular worked by a rack system and water balance but since 1915 runs on electricity. This funicular is not as well known by the Lisbon locals, perhaps because of it being located in a less fashionable part of the city. However, its route does provide access to a beautiful stretch of Lisbon where the tranquil Torel garden is situated.
Useful information
The Lavra funicular is open every day of the year, working from 7 am until 9 pm. However, on Sundays and public holidays it opens at 9 am. The average departure is every 15 minutes. The ticket which can be bought on board is a round-trip ticket.
The public elevators are one of the most popular touristic attractions in Lisbon. Currently, there are four of such funiculars, all operated by Carris (the city’s public transport company). All were designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, an engineer of French descent born in Oporto and contemporary of the renowned engineer Gustave Eiffel. In February 2002, they were all classified as Portuguese national monuments. They result from a public improvements policy, launched in the late nineteenth century in order to make life easier for the population of the seven hills of the city, helping it to overcome the steep Lisbon’s natural slopes. In nowadays, thousands of tourists visit daily the Santa Justa elevator, while the lifts of Glória, Bica and Lavra are still used by locals as visited by travelers. They are open every day of the year and offer, in addition to a real touristic experience, good opportunities to exercise the photographic sense of theirs passengers.
But other mechanical lifts worked in Lisbon during decades. The rua do Crucifixo elevator (aka Chiado’s lift) was a machine that worked by vertical water balance, connecting the rua do Crucifixo to the rua do Carmo, through the Hotel Universal. It opened in 1892 and the upper point of the passengers’ entry and exit was one of the shop windows’ of the Chiado’s department stores, where was a sign that stated “Crucifixo street lift in 20 seconds”. How it attracted few users, was opened to public use only until 1912 and then was integrated within these department stores.
