Odesa Funicular, Inclined elevator in central Odesa, Ukraine.
The Odesa Funicular is an inclined lift that covers 130 meters along a steep slope from the upper boulevard down to the port area. Two separate cars travel on parallel tracks and each carries around a dozen passengers on this short ride.
The original was built in 1902 using passenger cabins imported from Paris. It operated until 1969 when it was replaced with an alternative system, then was rebuilt in 2005 as a modern double inclined lift.
The inclined lift serves as a quick connection between two levels of the city that locals use daily to move between the upper commercial area and the port below. You will see residents of all kinds using this passage as a natural part of their route through Odesa.
The journey takes about three to four minutes and small groups board at regular intervals. You can use it easily to save time when moving between the upper city and the port, especially if you are carrying luggage.
The system works with a counterweight principle: as one car rises, it pulls the other down, using minimal power to move both. This simple idea has kept the link between the two city levels working for more than 120 years.
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