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Locarno – Madonna del Sasso Funicular

Landmarks ·Locarno ·Open now
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About

Locarno – Madonna del Sasso Funicular links central Locarno, in Switzerland’s canton of Ticino, with the Madonna del Sasso shrine in Orselina.

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Locarno – Madonna del Sasso Funicular

Locarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso FunicularLocarno – Madonna del Sasso Funicular

Why go

  • Ride in historic carriages dating from 1958.
  • Cross an eleven-arch viaduct reaching 17 metres high.
  • Climb gradients of up to 30 percent.
  • Continue from Orselina to Cardada by cable car and Cimetta summit by chairlift.

Opening hours

Today08:00 – 00:30Show all
Monday08:00 – 00:30
Tuesday08:00 – 00:30
Wednesday08:00 – 00:30
Thursday08:00 – 00:30
Friday08:00 – 00:30
Saturday08:00 – 00:30
Sunday08:00 – 00:30

Don't miss

  • Lower station carriage shelterThe carriage shelter stands in a hall with cast-iron columns.Lower station, Viale Francesco Balli 2, Locarno.
  • Steel truss bridgeThe line crosses the Ramogna on a steel truss bridge.Along the route.
  • Madonna del Sasso request stopThe stop sits on the long viaduct, a little over 100 metres below the upper station.Santuario Madonna del Sasso stop.
  • Upper stationThe late Neoclassical building, inspired by Liberty, is wedged between the mountain and Via Santuario.Orselina.

Know before you go

  • Open daily from 08:00 to 00:30.
  • Signal the driver by hand to board at Belvedere or Madonna del Sasso; request your stop before getting off.
  • Grand-Hôtel is out of service while the hotel is closed.
  • During heavy traffic, services may run continuously and skip intermediate stops.
  • Service may be suspended when thunderstorms pose imminent danger.
  • Annual maintenance usually closes the service for about three weeks in November.

Tips for your visit

  • The lower station entrance is through the corner projection of the building at Viale Francesco Balli 2.
  • From the monastery, follow the path beneath the viaduct, then the gently rising ramp alongside it; an iron shelter marks the stairs to the platform.
  • At Muralto Belvedere, platforms on both sides of the track allow boarding from either side without crossing it.
  • At the lower station, board on the Muralto side of the platform and exit on the Locarno side.

Interesting facts3

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  1. 173 metres

    The line climbs 173 metres between Locarno and Orselina.

    Funicolare Locarno-Madonna del Sasso - Wikipedia
  2. 3.5 metres

    The cars reach 3.5 metres per second (12.6 km/h), powered by machinery at the upper station.

    Funicolare Locarno–Madonna del Sasso - Wikipedia
  3. 1907

    In its first full year, 1907, the funicular carried 116,529 passengers and 611 dogs.

    Funicolare Orselina – Madonna del Sasso – Locarno

Shorts

History

The funicular was proposed in 1896 to connect Locarno with the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary. Engineer Giuseppe Martinoli designed the civil works, while engineer Bosshard planned the railway technology. Its founders intended the line to support tourism and development in the surrounding hills. Francesco Balli promoted the tourism development of which the line formed part.

  1. 1897–1900A building concession was granted in 1897 and renewed in 1900.
  2. 1904–1906Construction began in late 1904.
  3. 16 February 1906Federal delegates inspected the line before its opening.
  4. 1 March 1906The line opened with two wooden-bodied cars.
  5. 1909–1927The cars received glazing in 1909; the machinery, electrical parts and bodies were revised in 1927.
Show all
  1. 1948A new motor and installation were added, along with electricity for car lighting and heating.
  2. 1952A cable car extended the onward journey toward Cardada.
  3. Winter 2021–2022The 1958 cars were removed for body restoration and electrical and mechanical overhauls.

How to get there

  • On footThe lower station is a few steps from Locarno’s SBB and FART railway stations.

Accessibility

  • Suitable for disabled passengers The funicular is not suitable for disabled passengers.

Sources: Locarno–Madonna del Sasso funicular - Wikipedia · Funicolare Orselina – Madonna del Sasso – Locar… · Orari e tariffe — Funicolare Orselina – Madonna… · Storia — Funicolare Orselina – Madonna del Sass… · Funicolare Locarno–Madonna del Sasso - Wikipedia · Funicolare Locarno-Madonna del Sasso - Wikipedia · checked 11 Oct 2026

Where
Viale Francesco Balli 2, 6600, Locarno

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Which municipalities does the Locarno–Madonna del Sasso Funicular route cross?

Locarno, Muralto and Orselina.

When was the Locarno–Madonna del Sasso Funicular’s upper station built?

It was built in 1906 and expanded in 1925–1930.

Who designed the small service building beside the Locarno–Madonna del Sasso Funicular’s lower station carriage hall?

Peppo Brivio and René Pedrazzini designed it. It was built in 1950.

How can I contact the Locarno–Madonna del Sasso Funicular?

Call +41 91 751 11 23.

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