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Ascensor do Lavra
Funicular railway in Lisbon, Portugal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Ascensor do Lavra, also known as the Elevador do Lavra or Lavra Funicular, is a funicular railway in Lisbon, Portugal. Opened in 1884, the railway is the oldest funicular in the city, having been in operation almost continuously for 141 years.
The 188m-long funicular connects Largo da Anunciada to Rua Câmara Pestana in the parishes of Santo António and Arroios. The average grade is 22.9 % and the railway gauge is 900 mm with a central slot for the cable's connection.[1] The two vehicles were constructed by German engineering company Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.[2] They have a similar design to the Ascensor da Glória with a steel base carriage with wheels, a wood interior with 2 long wood benches along steel walls with glass windows, all painted in exterior with yellow and white colors.[3] The tracks are interleaved on the lower section. The vehicles only move at the same time: as one ascends the other descends, each car acting as a counterweight to the other, the weight of the descending car helping to pull the other one up.[4]
The Ascensor do Lavra was designed by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard[1] and opened on April 19, 1884.[5] Like the Ascensor Glória, Lavra was originally a water-balance funicular.[6]: 27–45 After a year of operation, it was converted to steam power, with a powerhouse at the top of Calçada do Lavra.[1] In 1915 the operation was electrified.[6]: 33–45
Currently, the funicular is owned and operated by Carris. Ascensor do Lavra was designated a National Monument in 2002.[1]
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