Balçova Gondola, Aerial transport system in Balçova, Turkey.
The Balçova Gondola is an aerial cable transport system near Izmir that carries passengers across a route of about 810 meters. It operates with 20 cabins, each holding 8 people, and climbs between two hillsides as it moves along.
The gondola was built by a German company in 1972 and opened in March 1974. It received a complete overhaul with updated machinery between 2013 and 2015.
The gondola serves as a familiar link for locals heading to outdoor spots and walking paths in the surrounding hills. Many people in the area use it regularly as part of their weekend routines.
Each ride takes roughly 2 minutes and 40 seconds, so you reach the top quickly. You can buy tickets with cash, local cards, or standard credit cards.
The system has 8 support towers and climbs about 351 meters in height difference between the lower station at Yeşiloğlu Hill and the summit of Dede Mountain. This vertical rise is much steeper than the cable length might suggest.
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