Inclined plane of Liège, Transportation structure in Liège, Belgium
The inclined plane of Liège is a sloped railway track system that overcomes steep elevation differences within the city. The mechanism works by having a loaded car descend on one side while pulling an empty car up the other side through a connected cable system.
The system was built during the 1800s to address the challenges of moving goods and people across the city's hilly terrain. It represented an innovative solution that helped the growing industrial city overcome its steep geography more efficiently.
The inclined plane was long a key part of how the city managed steep terrain and remains visible in the urban landscape today. It shows how residents adapted their daily routes around the natural elevation changes of the city.
The inclined plane can be accessed from both the top and bottom of the slope, and visitors should expect a steep journey that may vary with weather conditions. Wearing sturdy footwear and allowing time to experience the ride safely is advisable.
The system's power comes entirely from the weight difference between a loaded and an empty car, requiring no external motors. This makes it a clever example of applied physics where gravity itself does the work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
