Lanzo d’Intelvi funicular, Mountain funicular transport system in Alta Valle Intelvi, Italy.
The Lanzo d'Intelvi funicular is a transport system that once connected the village of Lanzo to Santa Margherita di Valsolda across steep mountain terrain in northern Italy. The two original carriages remain visible at both terminal stations, though the installation no longer operates.
A committee of Lugano and Lanzo citizens formed in 1902 to fund a funicular between Valsolda and Valle d'Intelvi. The project by engineer Pfaltz, refined by engineer Bucher, was approved in 1903; the operating convention went to the Società Anonima della Ferrovia Funicolare pel Belvedere di Lanzo d'Intelvi, backed by the Banca della Svizzera Italiana. Built by Von Roll, the line opened on 29 September 1907 and closed on 19 September 1977 when its concession expired.
The funicular's name comes from the Zocca terminal above Lanzo d'Intelvi, and its lower station stood beside the church of Santa Margherita, where a pier linked it to the SNF lake steamers to Lugano. Until 1954 it also carried goods. After closure in 1977, the two Von Roll carriages and much of the machinery were left inside the station ruins.
The line is out of service, so the route can only be followed on foot; the old trackbed was cleared of brush and waste in 1995. The lower station stands at Santa Margherita di Valsolda, 277 m above sea level beside the church, where a pier once linked it to the lake steamers. The upper station is at the Zocca, 884 m up, and a service stairway of about 4,000 steps runs alongside the route.
The two Von Roll carriages, 8.26 metres long and without windows, were left inside the ruined stations after the line closed in 1977. Each could seat 32 passengers: 8 in first class and 24 in second, plus 8 standing on the open platform opposite the operator.
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