Mendola funicular

The historical funicular steadily runs from S. Antonio, Caldaro, to Passo Mendola (1,363 m asl).

The Mendola funicular is located at the foot of the Mendola in the locality of S. Antonio. The Mendola is considered to be the local mountain and has always been a popular summer health resort. However, in these times people were not in possession of a car and the mountain was also a summer resort for aristocrats as well as tourists. More than 100 years ago people strived for the idea to build a funicular, which guarantees the transport on the Mendola mountain. The Mendola funicular has been built 1903 in S. Antonio and connected the health resorts Mendola and Gries near Bolzano in a very comfortable way. Within 14 months the facility has been completed under the direction of the Swiss architect Emil Strub. At that time it was considered the first electric powered cable car in Tyrol and is the steepest and longest continous cable car in Europe.

The Mendola funicular overcomes an altitude difference of 854 m and is characterised by a gradient ranging from 57 to 64%. A long time ago also the train between the station of Caldaro and the valley station of the Mendola funicular was called “Mendola funicular”. This part does no longer exist, as in 1963 it has been closed down together with the Oltradige train. Today this service is offered by the Citybus and other local buses.

The emperor Franz Josef, who was probably the most famous guest, used the funicular in 1905 to get to the large military manoeuvres in Val di Non. However, the Mendola funicular had to be closed down for safety reasons in 1983. In 1988 the Mendola funicular could recommence operations. In 2012 the contactless ticket voiding system was introduced. Today the Mendola funicular is a means of traffic of the local linked transport system, which does not only compriseregional trains, city buses and long-distance coaches, but also some cable-cars (Mendola funicular, Renon cable-cars, Meltina, Verano, Maranza and S. Genesio).

Still today many inhabitants of Caldaro go on the Mendola in order to enjoy the great panoramic view on the Oltradige up to the Dolomites and to find relaxation from summer heat in the valley. From the Mendola you can also hike onto the Penegal, Gantkofel or Roen mountain. In 2009 the laborious and time-robbing revisions have temporary been brought to an end, as two glass cabins, providing a great view, run up and down the mountain. The ancient cabins have been arranged at the valley station of the funicular. By the way, a ride with this funicular is much more pleasant than a car ride on the 15 hairpin bends.

Further information (timetable and prices):
phone +39 0471 963169 or 840 000 471
Altitude difference: 510 - 1,364 m
Gradient: 64%
People: 80
Bybicle transport: yes
One ride: 12 minutes