A Cable Car at the Foot of the Dolomite Alps

Built a century ago in the Italian city of Trento, the cable car Funivia Trento-Monte Sardagna provides wonderful sights.

Trento is a city located in the deep valley of the Adige River, in the Trentino-Alto Adige Region in northern Italy. Originally Celtic, it was annexed to the Roman Republic in 1 BC. After countless historic events, it became an Austrian territory until the end of World War I.

Several roads join the Padana Plains with the areas beyond the Alps such as Passo di Brennero, connecting Italy and Austria. For this reason, Trento is a very important industrial and touristic hub. It is a cosmopolitan, developed city that ranks highly among Italian cities regarding quality and standard of living.

In addition, Trento became internationally famous as the site of The Council of Trento (1545-1563). This was a very important religious council because it defined the Roman Catholic doctrine to condemn the Protestant Reformation, considered a heresy by the Holy See in those days.

Funivia Valle Trento–Monte Sardagna: A Breathtaking Trip

Near the San Lorenzo Bridge in Trento, the Trento-Monte Sardagna cable car allows tourists a fine view of the city and offers local inhabitants a good means of transport to access mountain towns. 

Trento is located at 194-m high, and the cable car climbs up to the popular viewpoint called “Busa Degli Orsi” (Bears´ Hole, their home until the 19th century) on Mount Sardagna near its namesake city that sits at 595-m high. Engineer Othmar Haas de Bressanone was responsible for its construction and installation, which started in 1922 and was finished in 1935.

The cable car underwent several attacks. In September 1943, it was bombed during World War II, causing severe damage at the valley station. A second bombing completely destroyed that station when its reopening had already been scheduled.

Finally, in 1958, a new cable car, which is still in operation, was opened. It is equipped with modern electronic systems and new cabins to comply with present safety requirements.

Reference

[1] Wikimedia Commons