Saturday, January 23, 2010

Funicolare

Funicolare, Montenero, LivornoFrom “Piazza delle Carrozze” (Carriages Square) the “funicolare” (funicular) carries you almost at the top of the hill of Montenero, where you can visit the Sanctuary of “Santa Maria delle Grazie” or simply enjoy the beautiful view from the panoramic terrace.Funicolare, Montenero, LivornoThe service of the “Funicolare di Montenero” started in 1908, but it has been renewed a few times since then.Funicolare, Montenero, LivornoThe funicular is now powered by a battery of solar panels.

See also: Montenero - Sanctuary of Montenero - Villa Azzurra - Sagrato - Famedio - Piazza del Santuario

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21 comments:

  1. VirginiaJanuary 23, 2010 at 12:15 AM

    I was so very grateful for the funicular in Paris at the Sacre Coeur!! Those steps up are tough. Great photos here!
    V

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  2. Stefan JanssonJanuary 23, 2010 at 12:48 AM

    Solar powered, that's not a bad idea.

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  3. LowellJanuary 23, 2010 at 1:21 AM

    How nice is that? I don't like heights, but I could probably be enticed to take that trip!

    The solar panels are a wonderful idea, too.

    I'm sure you ridden the funicular many times, right?

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  4. tapirgalJanuary 23, 2010 at 5:26 AM

    The structure in the first photo reminds me of the shape of the villas just a bit. It somehow looks Swiss in this incarnation.

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  5. Luis GomezJanuary 23, 2010 at 6:17 AM

    Old and very modern at the same time. Nice shots.

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  6. jooJanuary 23, 2010 at 12:18 PM

    Looks similar to the one in Prague. I like the building with the clok in the first photo.

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  7. SarettaJanuary 23, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    Funicoli, funicolà!

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  8. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 23, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    A funicular with solar energy, that's a great message!
    I'd like to go up there...
    God bless you!
    Cezar

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  9. GunnJanuary 23, 2010 at 6:26 PM

    Well, that was something new and interesting about your place. And I am impressed about the fact that is it powered by battery of solar panels.

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  10. IlseJanuary 23, 2010 at 6:39 PM

    Solar panels alone? This is fantastic! And the middle photo is very attractive, I like the geometic shapes making an abstract design.

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  11. cieldequimperJanuary 23, 2010 at 8:47 PM

    It looks a bit like a cross between a church and a railway station. I would love to use it, it looks so wonderfully old-fashioned!

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2010 at 2:39 AM

    I'm impressed by the use of solar power. Bravo!

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  13. HildaJanuary 24, 2010 at 3:19 AM

    A big boon for those who wish to go up the hill and how wonderful that it's solar-powered! I've only heard of one funicular here in the Philippines so far.

    I wish solar panels weren't so expensive so we could use it more. I like green vehicles too and we're trying out a few in the university. But people have to learn how to slow down again — I notice that they're not as fast as gasoline-powered vehicles. Though that's not such a bad thing.

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  14. UnknownJanuary 24, 2010 at 8:54 PM

    A solar powered funicular! That's great!

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  15. DinaJanuary 25, 2010 at 7:13 AM

    What a surprise ending for this post! Solar power for the old funicular.
    I loved riding those things in Switzerland.

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  16. KaoriJanuary 25, 2010 at 7:36 AM

    Solar panels! I see them everywhere now. Very eco friendly :D

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  17. UnknownJanuary 26, 2010 at 11:13 AM

    How about that! Livorno's full of surprises :) I like using funicolari when I travel, they're a good relief for the poor's traveler feet.

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  18. amatamari©January 26, 2010 at 9:44 PM

    This just did not know!
    Livorno has many pleasant surprises!
    :-)

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  19. VPJanuary 26, 2010 at 11:27 PM

    I have read that the excess power these solar panels generate goes straight in the grid.

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  20. VPJanuary 26, 2010 at 11:29 PM

    @ ciel - The other station is even more funny, but I haven't a good picture of it.

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  21. brattcatJanuary 29, 2010 at 9:29 PM

    What a brilliant solution to the challenge of climbing steep hills.

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