Marzilibahn, Funicular railway in Mattenhof-Weissenbühl district, Bern, Switzerland
The Marzilibahn is a funicular that connects the Marzili district with the Federal Palace area, climbing about 35 meters in elevation. Two red cars with around 30 seats each travel along a single track of just over 100 meters, completing the journey in under a minute.
The railway opened in 1885 and initially used water power from a city stream to operate before switching to electricity in 1974. This conversion made it more reliable and updated its systems for modern use.
The funicular links the recreation areas along the Aare River with Switzerland's political center at the Federal Palace above. Residents use it as a daily shortcut, while visitors move between riverside leisure and the seat of government.
The ride is straightforward for visitors, with clearly marked stations at both the top and bottom. Tickets are available at each station and cars depart at regular intervals throughout the day.
What sets this system apart is its counterbalanced design, where the two cars cross each other halfway along the single track. This simple yet effective engineering makes it one of Europe's shortest working funiculars.
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