Reisszug, Freight funicular at Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, Austria
The Reisszug is a funicular that climbs 190 meters steeply through the castle walls and connects Nonnberg Abbey to the central courtyard. The modern electric system moves loads of up to 2,500 kilograms through the five defensive levels.
This funicular dates from the late 1400s and ranks among the oldest documented cable railways anywhere. Its exact origins were first recorded in writings from the early 1500s.
The name comes from the loading of cargo that once moved through the castle. Visitors can see how this transport route uses the passage through the thick walls and shows how medieval fortifications were organized around practical needs.
The gradient is very steep and requires steady footing when boarding and leaving at each station. Allow extra time for the journey and check operating hours, as they change with the seasons.
The system preserves its original medieval route while relying entirely on modern electric technology instead of older mechanical systems. This blend of ancient path and modern engineering makes this funicular a remarkable example of practical innovation spanning centuries.
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