The Lugano degli Angioli funicular (Italian: Funicolare Lugano degli Angioli) was a funicular railway and inclined lift in the city of Lugano in the Swisscanton of Ticino. It linked a lower terminus near the lakeside and the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli [it] with an upper terminus adjacent to the Hotel Bristol on the Via Clemente Maraini. The line remains in existence, although in an abandoned state and with no car. For most of its length, it is paralleled by the steps of the Salita degli Angioli.[1][2][3]
The upper terminus of the funicular was on the third floor of a tower, linked with a footbridge to the hotel, whilst the lower terminus was a simple stop alongside the Salita degli Angioli. The line had a single track and single car, which was balanced by a vertically operating counterweight in the tower. It was of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge, was 142 metres (466 ft) in length and climbed a vertical distance of 53 metres (174 ft), with a maximum gradient of 44% and an average gradient of 38.7%. The car had 4 compartments and could carry 26 passengers.[1][2][3]
In April 2018 the Lugano city authorities announced a competition, with a CHF36,000 prize, for the best idea for a future for the funicular. In September of the same year, the same authorities requested a loan of CHF325,000 for a study into the future of the funicular and how it could form part of a wider plan for improved access to the lake. It is estimated that restoration as a static monument would cost CHF2.6 million, and a return to operation would cost CHF5.5 million.[1][2][4]
