Funchal-Monte Cable Car

Cable Car in Funchal (Madeira)

The Funchal-Monte Cable Car connects the old town of Funchal on Madeira Island, Portugal, to Monte in a scenic 15-minute journey, offering panoramic views of the city. This cable car system comprises 42 cabins, each accommodating 8 seats, and operates on a single-cable telecabine system with a detachable clamp.

Construction of the Funchal-Monte Cable Car commenced in September 1999 and was officially inaugurated in November 2000. The design of the route aimed to revive the tourist role previously held by the Comboio do Monte, which operated from 1887 to 1943.

The cable itself is 3178 meters long and 43 millimeters thick, supported by 11 conical metal towers spaced 5.5 meters apart along the route, some integrated into the urban network. The longest span covers 550 meters between towers no. 3 (the highest at 39 meters) and 4, with the cable branches exceptionally spaced 6.5 meters apart. The motorization, situated at the base station, boasts a power of 302 kW.

The base station is situated in the Almirante Reis garden, within the historic area of Funchal, while the top station is located in Monte, halfway between Largo das Babosas and Jardins do Monte. This location facilitates a pedestrian connection to the top terminal of the Jardim Botânico Cable Car and is in proximity to the Monte station of the Comboio do Monte rack railway, which ceased operations in 1943.

The Funchal-Monte Cable Car appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Funchal (Madeira)!

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