Ascensor da Glória

Glória Funicular (Ascensor da Glória)
Funicular (Funicular/Ascensor/Elevador)
235px The tram car descending to the lower station
Official name: Ascensor da Glória
Country	Portugal
Region	Lisbon
Subregion	Greater Lisbon
District	Lisbon
Municipality	Lisbon
Location	Santo António
- coordinates
Architects	Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard
Materials	Steel, Glass, Wood
Owner	Portuguese Republic
For public	Public
Easiest access	Calçada da Glória
Management	Instituto Gestão do Patrimonio Arquitectónico e Arqueológico
Status	National Monument
Listing	Decree 5/2002, Diário da República, Série 1, 42 (19 February 2002); Decree 31-F/2012, Diário da República, Série 1, 252, 31 December 2012; Included in the Special Protection Zone of the Águas Livres Aqueduct (IPA.00006811); Partially included in the classification of the Avenida da Liberdade (IPA.00005972); Included in the Special Protection Zone Group of the property classified in the Avenida da Liberdade and surrounding areas
Location of the funicular within the municipality of Lisbon
Wikimedia Commons: Elevador da Glória
Website: http://www.carris.pt/en/ascensor-da-gloria/

The Glória Funicular (Portuguese: Ascensor da Glória), sometimes known as the Elevador da Glória (Glória Lift), is a funicular railway line in the civil parish of Santo António, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. It connects the Pombaline downtown (at the Restauradores Square) with the Bairro Alto (Garden/ Overlook of São Pedro de Alcântara), operated by Carris.

History

File:Ascensor da Glória no inicio do séc. XX.jpg

One of the tram cars as seen at the beginning of the 20th century

File:ETH Zürich Lisboa Com L06-0015-0002.jpg

The funicular along the Bairro Alto leg in 1957

File:Portugal, Lisbon - elevator tram (8589450575).jpg

The graffiti-painted tram, passing along the hill in 2015

In 1875, a concession authorized the Nova Companhia dos Ascensores Mecânicos de Lisboa to construct a tram along the Calçada da Glória. This concession was donated to engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard in 1882.

The final lift was inaugurated on 24 October 1885, propelled by a water-powered counterweight system, and replaced with a steam-powered mechanism by 1886.The track included two cars with exterior wheels, and a central cable that was held by protective shoes. The interior was divided into two floors, with two bunks on the lower facing the interior and two on the superior back-to-back.

In 1912, the Nova Companhia dos Ascensores Mecânicos de Lisboa (NCAML) signed with the Municipal Council of Lisbon a contract that allowed them to electrify the lines. These repairs and installations occurred between 1914 and 1915, before returning to operation.

In 1926, the Nova Companhia dos Ascensores Mecânicos de Lisboa was dissolved, and the funicular became a property of the Companhia Carris. As part of the change, in 1927, a shelter was inaugurated for passengers, which was constructed along the Praça dos Restauradores, which was contested. It was demolished in 1934.

On 1 August 1995, Carris presented a proposal to classify the line as a heritage site, to which the IPPAR consultative council proposed the classification of the tram as a National Monument on 11 March 1997. A dispatch on 9 April 1997 ordered the approval by the Minister of Culture. The DRLisboa proposed the expansion of the classification a building on Travessa do Fala-Só and rectification of the law, which was approved on 7 January 2003 by IPPAR.

Architecture

The tram system is situated in an urban area, along an axis that slopes 17.7%, that extends from the Avenida da Liberdade to the Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara, crossing a built-up area of 19th century buildings, including the Palácio Foz and the Misericórdia of Lisboa.

The funicular includes two cars that operate parallel along two axes, that descend and climb simultaneously. The trams are inclined to allow patrons to maintain a level perspective, with seats oriented longitudinally.

See also

• List of funicular railways