The site of Montserrat is also famous for its two funiculars: Sant Joan and Santa Cova. The two inclines were operated by the FMGP (Ferrocarriles de Montaña a Grandes Pendientes) and since 1986 by the FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalita de Catalunya) which also operates most of the Catalonia railways.

The funicular Sant Joan, first use in 1918, was built to link the Monastery to the top of the Santa Magdalena mountain where a footpath lead to the hermitage of Sant Jeroni.
The track is absolutely straight with a maximum gradient of 66%.
In 1997, two new cabins succeeded to those which were used since 1926.

The bottom station.

 

 

 

The siding.

Detail of the new cabins.

The capacity is 60 passengers and one operator. See the panoramic window and the control panel of the operator.

The top station

 

The engine room in the top station is still using the old machinery.

TECHNICAL DATAS
Status	public
Current state
Start	1918
End	...
Type of funicular
Type of tracks
Type of energy
Bottom station	Monastery
Top station	Sant Joan
Length	503 m
Difference of levels	248 m
Maximum Gradient	66 %
Average Gradient	50 %