Montevergine funicular, Mountain funicular in Mercogliano, Italy.
The Montevergine funicular is a mountain railway in Mercogliano, Campania, that links the town at the base to the sanctuary perched on the mountainside above. The line runs about 1.1 miles (1.7 km) long and climbs about 2,400 ft (734 m) using two cars that counterbalance each other as they travel in opposite directions.
Work on the line began in 1882 under Abbot Guglielmo De Cesare, but funding shortages and the disruptions of two world wars repeatedly halted construction. The funicular finally opened in 1956, nearly 75 years after the first plans were drawn up.
Pilgrims traveling to the sanctuary share the cars with tourists, giving the ride a quiet sense of purpose that sets it apart from ordinary cable transport. On feast days, the line is especially busy with groups making their way up the mountain as part of a religious tradition tied to the region.
The ride lasts only a few minutes, but lines can form on busy feast days and during peak season, so arriving early helps. Opening times vary by season, so checking in advance before making the trip up is a good idea.
With grades reaching up to 64 percent, the line is one of the steepest railway systems on the continent. That slope is steep enough that the cars are specially built with a leveled floor so passengers can sit upright during the climb.
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