Ascenseurs

Ascenseurs
The Mechanical Elevators Company of Lisbon was founded in 1882 to ease the difficulties created by having to climb the city's «seven hills».

The first funicular to be built was the Lavra Elevator, which connects the Largo da Anunciada square to the Travessa do Forno do Torel street, using a system of rack rail and water makeweight; the same system was adopted at the Glória (1885) and Bica (1892) funiculars (1892).

The frequent water ruptures caused the system to be replaced by hauling machines moved by steam, and later by electrical devices.

The Glória Elevator links the Liberdade Avenue to the Bairro Alto quarter, whereas the Bica Elevator connects the riverside zone (São Paulo street) to Bairro Alto (Loreto street).