The Ascensor Barón, built in 1906,
is a
funicular
A funicular ( ) is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep grade (slope), slope. The system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to ...
located on its namesake hill in
Valparaíso
Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...
,
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...
, and was declared a
Historic Monument on September 1, 1998.
Description
The Ascensor Barón has great urban significance by virtue of being the connection between the
Plan de Valparaíso with one of the most tourist
scenic viewpoints in the eastern section of the natural amphitheater where sits the city. This viewpoint formed part of the old road to
Quillota, which joined
Valparaíso
Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...
to the
hacienda
A ''hacienda'' ( or ; or ) is an estate (or '' finca''), similar to a Roman '' latifundium'', in Spain and the former Spanish Empire. With origins in Andalusia, ''haciendas'' were variously plantations (perhaps including animals or orchards ...
of the Siete Hermanas (the land currently occupied by the city of
Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar (; meaning "Vineyard of the Sea") is a List of cities in Chile, city and Communes of Chile, commune on Zona Central, Chile, central Chile's Pacific coast. Often referred to as ("The Garden City"), Viña del Mar is located withi ...
). Its altitude ranges between above sea level. The track length is and the journey time is 95 seconds.
Located on the
Barón Hill, the funicular connects the
España and Argentina avenues, on the
flat part of the city, with the Diego Portales street of the hill. It is nearby the Barón Station, which is connected to the rest of the metropolitan area.
Inaugurated on April 17, 1909, its first owner was the defunct Compañía de Tracción Eléctrica (CTE). It was the first electrical funicular in the city,
system that replaced the previous
water counterbalance system. The
electric engine was brought from Germany.
This funicular, along with the
Reina Victoria, was owned by the (which was also owner of the dismantled Ascensor Placeres), before being bought by the Municipality of Valparaíso.
Like the other surviving
funiculars of Valparaíso, it was declared a
Historic Monument.
See also
*
Funicular railway
A funicular ( ) is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. The system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to opposite ends ...
*
Funicular railways of Valparaíso
*
List of funicular railways
This is a list of funicular railways, organised by place within country and continent. The funiculars range from short urban lines to significant multi-section mountain railways.
A funicular railway is distinguished from the similar incline elev ...
*
Valparaíso
Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ascensor Baron
Funicular railways in Chile
Buildings and structures in Valparaíso