Restaurants, bars and museums in Lisbon · Page 7

Elevador da Glória

Bairro Alto

Monuments & Historic Buildings

The Elevador da Glória, also known as the Glória Funicular, runs between Calçada da Glória, 35, 1250-174 Lisboa, and the Bairro Alto. It begins in the downtown valley around the Praça dos Restauradores and ends beside the Jardim e Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. The funicular has operated since 24 October 1885 and is a popular means of transport for the public, both local and visiting, day and night. The design of the funicular was undertaken by the French engineer, Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard. Initially, it operated a water counterweight system, which is similar to that still in operation on the Bom Jesus Elevator in Braga. Later, it changed to steam and, ultimately, to electricity. It has been powered by electricity since that time. Inside illumination was provided by candles up until the end of the 19th century. Each carriage had two levels. According to the Lisbon City Council, the funicular has approximately three million annual users. Calçada da Glória once hosted a steep hill climb. From 1913 to 1926, what is sometimes called “the smallest bicycle race in the world,” the Subida à Glória, was held over the 275m long, 17% gradient section of the hill. It was reinstated in 2013, but has not been held since 22 September 2018. O Elevador da Glória is an album and song by the Portuguese band Rádio Macau, released in 1987 and dedicated to the city. In 2022, the funicular was declared a National Monument of Portugal. On 3 September 2025, the funicular crashed into a building, at a speed of 37 mph. The crash killed 16 and injured 20. Time Out reported that the accident funicular closed for the duration of the investigation.

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