Contens:

1.01 Letná

1.02 Petřín

1.03 Karlovy Vary - Imperiál

1.04 Karlovy Vary - výšina Diana

1.05 Karlovy Vary - Slovenská

1.06 hotel Mövenpick - Mrázovka

History of Czech funiculars is long story. But before we begin, there is necessary to know, that historically, current Czech Republic was until 1918 part of multi-national Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. In the period of 1918-1939 we were joined together with Slovakia into Czechoslovakia. In 1939 Germans invanded into czech part of Czechoslovakia, and we belonged to Germans as so-called "protektorat". In 1945, Czechoslovakia was restored again. In 1989-1992 period Slovakians decided to "start it's own life", and therefore on 31st December 1992 we were divided into Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.

In this article, this country will be always named "Czech Republic", no matter what was current political situation.

History of Czech funiculars is more than 100 years old. During this period 6 funiculars was build there, and four remained in service into present day. They were built in two locations only. First one was Praha, or Prague if you like English spelling, so called "Mother Of All Cities", ancient country and today's capital of Czech Republic with approx. 1.200.000 inhibitans, certainly largest Czech City. Second location were Karlovy Vary, mostly known under german name Karlsbad. This worldwide-famous Czech spa are located approx. 170 km. in western direction from Praha, relatively close to German borderline. They are very famous and popoular until today, but in the end of 19th Century they vere probably most popular spa of the world and they were often visted by kings, state leaders, etc...

Now is the right time to start description of all funiculars.

1.01. Letna

History of Czech funiculars started in the end of 19th Century. An "Grand General Czech Exhibition" was held in this year in Praha. Varied Czech industrial works displayed there their works, and also new ways of urban transport were made at this time. One of the most popular was project of first Czech funicular and first Czech Electric Tramway betwenn historic centre and the exhibition place. Both they were opened in May 1891.

Funicular was relatively short, only 109 meters, and it started close to Franz-Josef's Bridge (now Stefanik's Bridge) and climbed up to Letna plateau, where electric tramway started. Maximum gradient was 370 o/oo, gauge was 1000 mm. Funicular used the system of water-superiorityy, so car that run downhill was filled with water (approx 5 cubic meters). This funicular was also equipped with Abt rack rail, it was used for braking.

Funicular was very succesfull, and remained in service also after closing of exhibition. It was still owned by private company, but in 1900 was sold to Elektricke podniky Praha, a city-owned transport company. They planned convert funicular to be electric-powered. This was done in 1903, and then funicular runned unchanged until 1915 (exact date is not known). Due to lack of passenger (no miracle, it was I. World War) was operation suspended.

After war in 1919, there was hope to restart service again, but unfortunately this was not done. In 1923 was funicular officialy closed.

In 1926 was build here public escalator (with wooden stairs!) instead. It remained in service until 1935, but it was abandoned too.

Today, only small rest of track can be seen here. But now is possible to visit Museum of Urban Transport, located in former tramway depot Stresovice, where beautiful and accurate model of this funicular is displayed...

1.02. Petrin

Probably most known funicular of Czech republic connect historic city with hill Petrin. History of this funicular started in 1889, when several members of Club Of Czech Tourist were in Paris, and they saw here famous Eiffel Tower. After return, they decided to built in Praha small copy of Eiffel Tower too. And they were successfull! Until 1891 there was built on the top of hill Petrin 62 meters tall tower. It was relatively far from historic centre, so also funicular was built there.

Both tower and funicular were opened on 25th July 1891 (also as a contribution to "Grand General Czech Exhibition"). Funicular was 383 meters long, it was one of the longest world's funicular at this time. Technical equipment was same as on Letnna's funicular, so gauge 1000 mm, powered by water, with Abt rack rail for braking.

This funicular was too into service in 1914 when it was closed. After war, funicular didn't start again, even if they tried to run several times. In 1923 and 1926 there was hope to renew funicular (close to the Petrin hill was big sport celebration called "Sokolsky slet", but this was not succesfull.

But in 1932 was again Sokolsky slet planned, and new Strahov stadium was build close to Petrin hill (this stadium can hold 210.000 visitors in one time, and it it still world's biggest stadium until today!!!). So muncipal transport company decided to renew funicular again. This was done until 1932. New funicular was electric-powered, was also regauged to 1435 mm, and was longer than old, 511 meters.

New funicular was commercial success again, so it remained in duty without major problems through WW2 until 7th July 1965. This day, after long rain, earth of the hill massively moved down, and funicular track was destroyed completely. Service must be stopped immediately, and it looks like forever.

History was repeated again. In 1981 city council decided to renew track of the funicular, because there should be another sport event on the Strahov stadium(called Spartakiada at this time) in 1985. During this period, track was completely reneved, and new cars were delivered in 1985, each can carry 100 passengers. Techical equipment remained same as until 1965 (it was not destroyed). Funicular was given into service on 7th July 1985, exactly 20 years after closure, and is in service until today. It is integrated into system of public transport, so there is no special fare, tickets are same as in tramways and busses. Lower station (Ujezd) is close to tram station Ujezd, it is served by tramways No, 6,9,12,22. Funicular is in service betwenn 7.00 - 20.00 daily, mostly every 15 minutes. Nice journey!

1.03. Karlovy Vary - Divadelní ulice

In the end of 19th Century, Karlovy Vary hoped to built electric tramway here. These plans were not successful, therefore large hotels tried to build their own transport system itself. Karlovy Vary is relatively hilly town, so most of the large hotels are located on the hills. There was not possible to built any other type of transport than rack railway or funicular.

In 1905 Lord of Westbury, englishman, frequent spa's vistory founded new company for building funiculars in Karlovy Vary. His first attempt was made in 1906, and this was short funicular between Divadelni ulice(Theater's street) and Helen's plateau. An electric funicular, 114 meters long with gauge 1000 mm was built here. Most interesting thing of this funicular was fact, that whole track was in tunnel!!! Funicular was opened in may 1906 and becomes very popular for spa's visitors. Funicular was in service only in summer without any major change until 1955. Service was suspended in this year, because of bad technical state of funicular. Until 1957, technical equipment was renewed and service was resumed. Cars remained wooden until 1961, when they were reneved, and were equipment with metallic carbody. They served successfully until 31.12.1980 when service was stopped for the second time.

City wanted to renew funicular again, but there were problems to find some company for this job. In 1983 was signed contract with polish company Budimex. Until 1985 was track restored, but new cars (from polish Konstal Chorzow works) were delivered in early 1987. In november 1987 was service restored, and funicular is fully in service until today. It is owned by municpal city transport company, and is integrated into public transport system, so normal fare apply here. Bottom station is located in spa's centre, top station can be reached by public bus No.18. Funicular is in service daily between 6.00-21.00.

1.04. Karlovy Vary - Slovenská ul. - Imperiál

Large (and very expesive) hotel Imperial was opened in 1911 in Karlovy Vary. This hotel was located relatively close to top station of previous funicular, but hotel wanted its own funicular. Again, Lord Westbury's company built here quickly new funicular. It was opened on 12th June. It was again equipped with 1000 mm gauge, and was electricaly powered. Highest gradient was here 570o/oo, bigger gradient was never built on funiculars of Czech Republic. Track was 109 meters long. This funicular was not so very popular as previous, because bottom station was realtively far from spa's centre. Funicular remained in service until 1959 when it was closed. Only cars were scrapped, track and even electrical equipment can be still observed here. Several attempts to restore service were made, but they were not successfull.

1.05. Karlovy Vary - výšina Diana

Due to commercial success of Westbury's funiculars, city council of Karlovy Vary decided to build its own funicular too. It was decided to built electric funicular between spa's centre and the Diana Plateau, popular place over the city. Also, new sightseeing tower was planned close to top station.

This 437 m. long funicular was opened in august 1912. For first two years was this funicular not so popular, but this changed in the early 1914, when tower close to top station was opened. Even during wars, funicular was in service until 1960 without any major change. In 1961 winter service started too, but between 1963 and 1965 was funicular partially renewed and remained in service until end of 1980, when it was closed together with Divadelni's ulice funicular. In the years between 1980 and 1988 was also restored by Budimex, and was opened on 20th December 1988, and is in service until today. Also, tower on the top was restored in 1991, and can be visited too.

This funicular is too owned by muncipal city transport, but it is not integrated with rest of urban transport, so special tickets (and, of course fare) is valid here - but anyway, it is nice trip. Bottom station is located directly in spa's centre (where no cars are allowed).

Also fourth funicular was built in Karlovy Vary in 1913. It should run to the Three Cross' Hill over the city, but work was abandoned in 1914 (because of war), and funicular was not finished. There is still hope to finish this funicular, but if this will be successfull is still unknown

With opening of Diana's funicular, for more than 80 years no new funicular was built here in Czech republic. For long time it looked, that this is forever - but 'never say never'

1.06. hotel Moevenpick - Mrazovka

Fall of communist regime in end of 1989 started massive tide of foreign capital into Czech republic. Also, swiss company Moevenpick decided to built new hotel here in Praha. After several negotiations with city, area of Smichov was choosen. Architect decided to built "two section hotel" here. "Bottom" section is located very close to main street, and it can hold approx. 450 guests. "Top" section, located on the hill Mrazovka over the Praha also has several room, but mainly is there restaurant, so whole Praha can be seen from there. These sections are approx 150 meters distant, but if you want to walk on the street - this street is longer than 3 kilometers! Hotel therefore decided to built its own funicular between these parts!

Hotel and funicular were both opened in 1995. Funicular is very strange, it is something between classic funicular and a monorail. It has only one car. There is no fare, no tickets, no timetable, funicular is self-serviced, so guest can it service same way as lift! This funicular is owned by hotel, and it is not public in general. However, top restaurant is opened to public, so every guest of this restaurant can use this funicular. Simply - strange. Hotel is located close to metro station Andel, of line "B". Hotel is excellent, five-star, therefore, rooms are relatively expensive...

That is all. No other funicular were built here, and none are under construction --- well but wait, there is once one more interesting transport equipment. It is located in Decin, city with approx. 50.000 inhibitans located in Northern Bohemia, very close to german borderline. There is - lift. Yes, really "only" lift, but this lift connects city centre with "Shepherds Wall" over the city. This lift was built here in the end of 60's and it is completely inside in rock. Until 1996 was owned by muncipal city transport company, in early 1997 was sold to the owner of restaurant on the top station. There is fare for this lift, and it is certainly opened to public. Lift is approx. 60 meters long. Well, certainly is this not funicular, but it has close to it...

OVERVIEW OF FUNICULARS