Funicular Artxanda, Bilbao, July 2010 (06)

The Artxanda Funicular ( eu, Artxandako funikularra; es, Funicular de Artxanda) is a

funicular railway A funicular (, , ) is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. The system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to opposite e ...

in the city of

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Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

's Basque Country. It links downtown Bilbao with the recreational area at the summit of the nearby Artxanda Mountain, which has a park, several restaurants, a hotel, a sports complex, and offers panoramic views of the city.

History

cable railway Cable may refer to: Mechanical * Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof * Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a he ...

to the top of the Artxanda mountain was first proposed in 1901, but not built due to lack of finance. The current funicular was opened in 1915. During the

Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlism, Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebeli ...

the funicular was damaged by bombing, but reopened in 1938. The funicular closed in 1976 after an accident that injured several employees of the operating company, and did not reopen again until April 1983. The line was closed again in August of the same year, as a result of flood damage, and did not reopen until November.

Operation

The Bilbao departure point of the funicular is just north of

Zubizuri The Zubizuri ( Basque for "''white bridge''"), also called the Campo Volantin Bridge or Puente del Campo Volantin, is a tied arch footbridge across the Nervion River in Bilbao, Spain. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge lin ...

bridge, on the right bank of the River Nervion, within walking distance of the

Guggenheim Museum The Guggenheim Museums are a group of museums in different parts of the world established (or proposed to be established) by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Museums in this group include: Locations Americas * The Solomon R. Guggenhei ...

. Services run every 15 minutes throughout the day. Tickets can be bought at the stations, or the

Barik card Barik () is rechargeable contactless smart card, electronic money used for public transport in Biscay (Spain). It was launched on 2012 as successor of Creditrans travel card. Is available as a credit-card-sized card. Companies accepting Bar ...

can be used. The funicular is run by the ''Funicular de Artxanda S.A.'', a company wholly owned by the Municipality of Bilbao.

Technical parameters

The funicular has the following technical parameters: *Length: ''770.34 meters'' *Height: ''226.49 meters'' *Maximum steepness: ''44,98 %'' *Capacity: ''70 people per car'' *Trip time: ''3 minutes'' *Maximum speed: ''5 metres per second'' *Configuration: ''Single track with passing loop'' *Traction: ''Electricity''

References

External links

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{{coord, 43, 16, 15.31, N, 2, 55, 22.49, W, region:ES_type:landmark, display=title Transport in Bilbao Funicular railways in Spain Rail transport in the Basque Country (autonomous community) Buildings and structures in Bilbao Tourist attractions in Bilbao Metre gauge railways in Spain 1915 establishments in Spain Railway lines opened in 1915