Text and Photos Michel Azéma

Funiculars of Switzerland

MS - Lugano Monte San Salvatore
Ticino


(photo Michel Azéma September 2002)
Description

The second pyramid which dominates the Lake of Lugano is the Monte San Salvatore (912 meters). The summit can be reached with the funicular Monte San Salvatore which was built in 1890.

The configuration of this funicular is very special, most probably unique. It is composed of two separated half-sections but with only one engine and machine room which is located at the middle of the line at Pazzallo. The passengers get into the first cabin at Paradiso, then at Pazzallo station they have to get out the cabin 1, cross the platform and get in the cabin 2 to reach the summit with the second half-section.
There is no siding in this configuration. Each of the two half-section is a single track.

From the top of the Monte San Salvatore the 360° panorama is absolutely wonderful with the Lake of Lugano, the isthmus of Mélide, the Monte Generoso and the Italian enclave of Campione on the other side of the lake. Campione if famous for its gambling Casino (gambling is forbidden in Switzerland). Note that there was a project, never made, to build a cable way from Sighignola (Italy) at the top of the mountain to allow the Italians to reach the Italian enclave of Campione from Lanzo d'Intelvi!

 
Map


 
Technical Datas


 
 
Half-Sect 1
Half-Sect 2
Total
 Start
  
 
1890
End
 
 
 ...
 Status
 
 
Type of funicular
 
 
Type of tracks
 
Type of energy
 
 
Bottom station
Paradiso
282 m
Pazzallo
494 m
 
Top station
Pazzallo
494 m
Monte San Salavatore
883 m
 
Length
814 m
815 m
1629 m
Difference of levels
212 m
389 m
601 m
Maximum Gradient
37,2%
61%
 

Gauge

1 m
1 m

 

Speed

2 m/s
3 m/s

 

 Cabins

1 of 70 passengers
1 of 70 passengers

 

Manufact.
Doppelmayr-Von Roll
Funicolare Lugano Paradiso-Monte San Salvatore SA

Casella Postale 442
CH-6900 LUGANO PARADISO

Tél. +41.91.985 28 28
Fax +41.91.985 28 29


info@montesansalvatore.ch

 

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Michel Azéma, Paris (France)
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