Elevador do Lavra
Elevador do Lavra
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The Elevador da Lavra, also known as Ascensor do Lavra, is a funicular that connects Rua Câmara Pestana with Largo da Anunciada. Inaugurated in 1884 and located at Calçada do Lavra, it is considered the oldest elevator in the city of Lisbon. The ride takes about 2 minutes and has the capacity for 42 passengers. It's been classified as a National Monument since February 2002.
A curious feature of the Lavra Elevator is the movement of the two vehicles. In 1884, as they alternately descended the hills of Lisbon, they carried a quantity of water that was dumped further down in the Largo da Anunciada. This extra weight, together with the gravitational pull of the inclined slope, was to aid the ascent of the second vehicle. In 1898, these elevators began to run on steam, and in 1915, on electricity.