132 years ago today Zagreb’s funicular put into operation

132 years ago today Zagreb’s funicular put into operation

ZAGREB, 8 October 2022 – One of the Croatian capital’s most recognisable attractions clocks up another milestone today. 

Zagreb’s famous funicular, which connects Ilica with Strossmayer promenade from Tomić street, turns 132 today. 

The symbol of the city which connected the lower and upper town for the first time was officially opened and put into operation back on 8 October 1890. 

The 66-metre (217 ft) track makes it one of the shortest public-transport funiculars in the world and since it has been functional there has not been one accident or an injured passenger. 

(Photo credit: J Duval/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Initially, it had steam engines, which were substituted with electrical engines in 1934. Having in mind that it kept its original shape, constructional and most of the technical properties, it was given legal protection as a monument of culture.

Inside the funicular 

As well as being one of the shortest, it is also one of the steepest funiculars in the world. It runs at a speed of 1.5 m/s, needing 55 seconds to cross the distance.

Around 800,000 tourists annually use the funicular.