Funiculars of Varese (Italy)

Text and photos by Michel AZEMA (The black and white pictures are from the book "Binari ai Laghi" Adriano Betti Carboncini). Varese Index | Maps | Campo dei Fiori | Sacro Monte | Vellone | Kursaal | Menu

Funicolare del Kursaal

or Funiculare del Colle Campigli

The funicular del Kursaal is the most unknown funicular of Varese.

The funicular was built to reach the hill Colle Campigli, on the road to Masnago, where the architect Giuseppe Sommaruga (the same who has erected the Belvedere restaurant on the Campo dei Fiori) has built the Kursaal, a great touristic and sportive place which was composed of the Palace Grand Hotel, theatre, restaurant, tennis ground, skating-rink, ball trap, etc.

The funicular was inaugurated in 1911.


Funicolre del Kursaal and Colle Campigli in 1911.

Actual state of the funicular.
The only vestiges are the stairs of the piers!

TECHNICAL DATAS
Type of funicular
Type of tracks
Energy
Lower station / Altituderoad Varese-Masnago / 400,5m
Upper station / AltitudeColle Campigli / 450m
Diff. of levels49,5m
Length182,4m
Average Gradient27%
Maximum Gradient29,2%
Speed2m/s
Gauge1m
Cabins2
Von Roll (Bern)
60 passengers
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Copyright 1996 by Michel Azéma, Paris (France)
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