Cremallera i funiculars de Montserrat Monistrol de Montserrat
San Juan Funicular
The Sant Joan Funicular offers an impressive panoramic view of the Montserrat mountain, from a height of 1,000 meters above sea level. The ascent with the Sant Joan Funicular is an unforgettable trip, with a maximum slope of 65% and a distance of 503 meters.
The new viewpoint, located at the top station of the funicular itself and close to 1,000 meters above sea level, allows perfect observation of the mountain and has an Interpretation Center for the Geopark of Central Catalonia and the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park. This space shows the history of the characteristic mountain of Montserrat, as well as its climatic conditions, fauna and flora.
At the top, from the Tarantulas plane, visitors can take some of the excursions or walks that are signposted, with different levels of difficulty and duration, so they are suitable for all audiences.
Inaugurated in 1918, the San Juan Funicular was built to communicate the outer part of the monastery with the hermitage of San Juan, located at the top of the massif, where the viewpoint is also located. In 1997 the facilities were modernized and the funiculars were equipped with new panoramic vehicles so that visitors could fully enjoy the trip.
The success achieved by the line quickly made its low transport capacity clear and in 1926 it was replaced by a new facility, with a different track gauge and larger capacity vehicles. In 1986 it was integrated into the FGC network, and in 1997 it underwent an extensive modernization process, during which it was equipped with new panoramic vehicles.
Holy Cave Funicular
The Santa Cueva Funicular connects the sanctuary with the cave, the troglodytic chapel attached to the rock where, according to legend, some shepherds found the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. Since 1929, pilgrims have taken the funicular down to this emblematic place, where art and nature are breathed.
This transport arrives at the place where the monumental Rosary begins, the most important outdoor sculptural ensemble of Catalan modernism, with works by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Llimona, among others. There is also an exhibition dedicated to the funiculars, their operation and their history.
The funicular runs along a route of 262 meters and overcomes a drop of 118 meters. The Santa Cueva Funicular was built in 1929 for the company Ferrocarrils de Muntanya en Grans Pendientes (FMGP), which also owned the Sant Joan Funicular. Since 1986, both funiculars have been managed by FGC.
Over the years, the Funicular de la Santa Cueva has been renovated twice - in 1963 and 1991 - but the severe flooding that the Montserrat mountain suffered during the month of June 2000 deeply affected the facilities. tions, since the lower station and one of the cars were partially destroyed.
The occasion was used to completely renovate the line's facilities, with new panoramic vehicles, which entered service in June 2001.
