Heidelberg's funicular railway

489 metres long and with a 43 per cent gradient at its steepest point, the lower funicular railway line from Kornmarkt to Molkenkur via the castle was officially opened in 1890. The two split-level cars each carry 50 persons and travel at a speed of around four metres per second. In its early days and up until 1907, the lower funicular railway used a water ballasting system from Molkenkur down into the valley. This made it easier to pull the cars up to the castle and to Molkenkur, the water being discharged again at the base station.

 

• The funicular railways in Heidelberg cover the longest funicular railway distance in Germany; 1,5 km long.
• The lower funicular railway is the most modern funicular railway in Germany. The upper funicular is the oldest one.
• The funicular railways in Heidelberg have been awarded as a cultural monument of particular importance by the Landesdenkmalamt Baden-Württemberg and they have been honored by an entry in the memorial book.
• The lower funicular railway ist handicapped accessible. Handicapped person need an escort to use the uppper funicular railway because there is no lift and serveral stairs need to be handled.

More and new information you will find at the homepage www.bergbahn-heidelberg.de