History

Since October 1926, the construction of the Funicular to Monserrate, kept thousands of cachacos (people from Bogota) stunned, vigilant for almost three years that lasted the infrastructural development of the pharaonic work. They would be the future second-class passengers. Other bogotanos, with strong interest, nailed their pupils on the stock certificates of the Funicular Company of Bogota, whose first issue of 30,000 shares of 10 pesos each were sold as fast as hot bread (a popular saying in Colombia) outside the stock market in the early 1926. They’d be first-class passengers. Thanks to the success in the sale of shares, a second issue of 10,000 shares was launched, recognizing a premium of 4 pesos per share.

The original cable cars were 9 meters long. The capacity in 4 compartments could sit 40 people and 20 people standing. In 1964 the funicular was extensively modernized. Better engines and new cars were installed with a length of 10.15 meters, had a capacity of 25 seated passengers and 57 passengers standing, for a total capacity of 82 passengers. One of the original cars was preserved and is currently on display. In December 2003, the funicular began a new stage with a more modern design in its cars, with a glass roof so that no one can miss a single detail of the spectacular view it offers.