Scenic Trains
Glacier
Express
Bernina
Express
Golden
Pass Line
Wilhelm
Tell Express
Mont
Blanc - St Bernard
Palm
Express
Excursion Trains
Jungfraujoch
Chocolate
Train
Gornergrat
Matterhorn
Mt
Rigi Railway
Roches
De Naye
Ticino Attractions
Monte
San Salvatore
Madonna
Del Sasso
Carnival
Bellinzona
Locarno
Film Festival
TICINO ATTRACTIONS
MONTE SAN SALVATOR FUNICULAR - LUGANO
Views of Lake Lugano
The Monte San Salvatore Funicular, which runs from the heart of Lugano
in Italian Switzerland to the summit of Mount San Salvatore overlooking
Lake Lugano was one of the first of its kind, built in 1890. Lugano is
the largest city of the Ticino region, where the lake waters split their
shorelines between Switzerland and Italy. Lugano encompasses a main city
center with small village suburbs nestled between the hills along the
lakeshore formed in a half crescent lined with older grand hotels from
its status as a tourist destination since before the turn of the 20th
Century. The mountain of San Salvatore lies to the southern edge of the
city where the lake wraps around it, rising to the 912 meter high peak.
The mountain top offers a 360 degree view of the city and lake on one
side and waters stretching to the Italian village of Campione, known
for its gambling casino on the other. The Monte San Salvatore funicular
makes a 12 minute ride up through hillside suburbs to the top of the
mountain, running from March to November.
There is a restaurant at the summit with indoor and outdoor view terraces
on the Italy facing side. From the top station it is a five minute up
the walk to the summit for the views. Along the pathway below the summit
radio towers is a small nature museum with exhibits on cultural history
of the area and the study of lightning which tends to be attracted to
the mountain top in storms on the lakes. At the observation level on
Monte San Salvatore are series of period posters of other mountain trains
and cable rides in Switzerland, from the mighty Jungfrau with the world's
highest train station to Mt Pilatus near Lucerne, with the steepest funicular
style cog train.
The Monte San Salvatore Funicular runs from 9 am to 5 pm or 6 pm in
the spring and fall and in summer from mid-July to August the hours extend
to 11 pm for night views of the sparking lights of Lugano. The funicular
station of San Salvatore is a bit of a walk from the old town, near the
Paradiso rail station but is also a stop on the tourist train route which
runs along the lakeside. You can ride both ways, or ride up and walk
down the winding path back to town if feeling energetic - taking about
an hour and half. Hiking routes descend to the Italian side for more
robust adventure. The train fare is 21 CHF for adults one way, 28 CHF
for the round trip, children 6-16 are half price and under years 6 are
free. The Monte San Salvatore Funicular is free with a Ticino Discovery
Card.
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