PORTUGAL ~The Bica Funicular - Lisbon ~

... Nice view of the most picturesque and historical funicular in Lisbon... the only stepped street funicular in the city... it climbs the Rua da Bica for 245 metres... the ride takes people up and down the much-photographed Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo... the Ascensor da Bica is so special because it runs straight through a street with houses on both sides... at night the funicular doesn’t run... that’s when the street’s restaurants and bars open their doors and the atmosphere becomes truly magical... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta for thinking of me while visiting Lisbon!! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

The Bica funicular was constructed by Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard and opened to the public in 1892.

The funicular was initially moved by the water counterbalancing system, whereby movement was achieved by loading the car at the top of the hill with water until it was heavy enough to descend the hill and pull up the other car at the bottom of the hill.
In 1896 the Ascensor da Bica became steam powered, and in 1924 it was electrified.

Elevador da Bica forms the connection between the Calçada do Combro/Rua do Loreto and the Rua de S. Paulo. It is operated by Carris.




Photo: © António Pedro Ferreira

Stamp:

Figures in World History and Culture
(Issued 12-07-2019)