Text and Photos Michel Azéma

Funiculars of Switzerland

Cassarate - Monte Brè
Ticino


(photo Michel Azéma April 1995)
Description

Lugano is bordered by two pyramids which overhang the magnificent Lake of Lugano: the Monte Brè (923 m) in the east and the Monte San Salvatore (912 m) in the south. Each of these summits can be reached by an inclined railway.

The Funicolare Cassarate -Monte Brè is composed of two separated funiculars. The first section (Cassarate - Ruvigliana) was built in 1905. The length is very short, only 196 meters. At Ruvigliana the passengers have to get out at the top station, walk and cross the road Viganello - Gandria to read the bottom station of the second section just on the other side of the road. The second section (Ruvigliana - Monte Brè) is much longer (1403 meters) and very sinuous with an intermediate stop at Aldesago.

From the summit of the Monte Brè, the eyesight is splendid over the lake and the city of Lugano. On the other side of the lake it is possible to see the old funicular of Lanzio d'Intelvi after the Italian border.

 
Map


 
Technical Datas


 
 
Sect 1
Sect 2
Total

 Start

1908
1912

 

End
...
...

 

 Status

 

Type of funicular

 

Type of tracks

 

Type of energy

 

Bottom station
Cassarate
287 m
Ruvigliana
389 m

 

Top station
Ruvigliana
394 m
Monte Brè
916 m

 

Length
196 m
1403 m

1599 m

Difference of levels
102 m
522 m

624 m

Maximum Gradient
60,5%
47,5%

 

Gauge

1 m
1 m

 

Speed

2 m/s
3 m/s

 

 Cabins

2 of 42 passengers
2 of 80 passengers

 

Manufact.
Doppelmayr-Von Roll
Societą Funicolare
Cassarate-Monte Brč SA

Via Ceresio 36
CH-6977 RUVIGLIANATél. 41.91.971.31.71
Fax 41.91.972.37.48
montebre@ticino.com

 

Copyright © 1996-2018 Funimag
Michel Azéma, Paris (France)
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