Bica Funicular

Visiting the lovely yellow Bica Funicular should surely be on your list of things to do in Lisbon while touring the city. The Bica Funicular, also known as the Elevador da Bica, is a funicular train line in Misericórdia, a civil parish in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. It links the Rua de So Paulo to the Carris-operated Calçada do Combro/Rua do Loreto. The line follows the funicular system, with two cars permanently coupled to opposite ends of a haulage cable that is looped over a pulley at the track's upper end. Traction is given, unusually, by electric motors on the two carriages, which are powered by an overhead cable. The cable links the two cars together so that they ascend and descend simultaneously, each car acting as a counterweight for the other one.

The funicular system is installed along an axis characterized by an intensified slope on the outskirts of Lisbon's Pombaline downtown neighborhood, overlooking the Tagus River. Its path follows an area dominated by rental houses built in the 18th century. The lift consists of two vehicles that traverse the distance in opposite directions at the same time. The vehicles feature three entrances on each side (each with two flanking windows) and three compartments within the platform, with hardwood chairs positioned transversely from the central body.

The exterior is encased in masonry, with wrought iron gates and a portico with an arch. Upper stories have rectangular windows, with wrought iron varandas on the first and second floors and smaller picture windows on the third. A beautiful cornice separates the upper level from the Mansard roof at the top, with wrought iron railing. The inside has a small atrium with a vehicle circulation corridor, tile wainscoting, plastered walls, and azulejo tile, and the main platform is defined by a wrought iron gate and lateral stairs.

Location: Lisbon, Portugal