09. FUNICULAR'S HISTORY

4.2 ——

FUNICULAR

THE EVOLUTION OVER TIME

San Salvatore its a Landsmark of the territory of Lugano that in early years (1200) caught the attention of the devoted people. They believed that hiking to the top was part of a spiritual journey, like the Son of God, in the ascent to heaven. This fact and the undeneable beauty of the panorama and the unbeliBut above all, it was the drew visitors since early times.

IMPORTANT DATES/FACTS:

1870 San Salvatore becomes a popular destination, but the only way of access is by mule

1890 An Italian businessman from Florence , invest in the project and the official inaguration ftook place on 26 March 1890, in the presence of a small crowd.

1938 The is modificiations in the machinery of the funicular , allowing it to go faster (1.8 m per second to 2.5 m per second ) reducing travel time to 14 minutes.

2011 The funicular celebrates 121 years since the opening , reaching the number of 17 million visitors, and the nunmber keep increasing by the years.

2015 On Sunday 29 March 2015, the Monte San Salvatore funicular celebrated its 125th birthday; it is the oldest touristic funicular in Ticino.

2018 San Salvatore appears on the pretigious Michelin’s Green Guide, a prestigious touristic guide that highlights a region’s natural and cultural heritage. San Salvatore appeared meaning that an establishment is undoubtedly beautiful and a must to see destination .

In conclusion, the beauty and recognition of this outstanding place is starting to grow with time, making more evident that a planification for the San salvatore area is needed. The popularity its an oportunity , we want to preserve the natural heritage and we want to informe people about it , so a sense of belonging can be created from the communtiry towards this place .

Pictire from the Funicular 1890