Lavra Funicular

The Gloria funicular on Praça dos Restauradores is well known to tourists, but few people know that there is another funicular nearby leading to Pena Hill. After passing the block on the right side of Avenida da Liberdade, turn onto Largo da Andaluciada and at the end of the block you will see the lower station of the funicular. The Elevador do Lavra (or Ascensor do Lavra) is Lisbon's oldest operating funicular and was declared a national monument in 2002.

The funicular was designed by engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and opened on April 19, 1884. Initially, water was used for the drive, but a year later a steam engine was installed, and in 1915 it was electrified. The 900mm wide track is laid on a slope with a slope of up to 23%. The line is only 188 meters long and in a couple of minutes you will climb the Rua Câmara Pestana, from where you can start exploring the Pena quarter. A block north of the upper station is a small Torel Park (Jardim do Torel) with an observation deck.

The funicular is open from 7 to 21, on Sundays and holidays from 9 to 21. The fare can be paid in cash from the driver, or with a transport card, which is twice as cheap. Tourists can pay with Via Viagen or Lisboa Card.