| Gibraltar Cable Car | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Status | Operational |
| Character | Elevated |
| Location | Gibraltar,British overseas territory |
| Termini | start -Grand Parade[1] in town center (close to theGibraltar Botanic Gardens) end - the top of theRock of Gibraltar |
| Open | 1966 |
| Technical features | |
| Aerial lift type | Aerial tramway |
| Operating speed | 5 m/s (16.4 ft/s) |
Gibraltar Cable Car (Spanish:Teleférico de Gibraltar) is anaerial tramway inGibraltar. The base station of thecable car is located near the southern end ofMain Street, next toAlameda Gardens.
The Gibraltar Cable Car was built in 1966 by Swiss cable car expertsVon Roll Holding, with the base and summit stations designed by architect Brian Helliwell and atopSignal Hill Battery. The battery was located alongside a Signal Station and was equipped with two 3-inch 30-cwt anti-aircraft guns and a40-mm Bofors gunduring World War II.[2] Remains of an earlier cable station that was used to bring supplies (or a brave man) up to the top of signal hill via a rope are still evident.[3] Besides the remains of earlier military buildings there is also a short tunnel that runs east to west under the station.[2]
The last extensive renovation of the cable car took place in 1986 when the cable cars were replaced with the current day cabins. In 2007 the Top Station was refurbished and replaced with the current facilities including theCalpe Suite which is registered to conduct weddings.[4]
From the base station, the cable car travels up theRock of Gibraltar to the Ape's Den midway up the Rock, and then to the top of the Rock. Despite being called "top of the Rock", it is actually the second highest peak of the Rock at 412 metres (1,352 ft) above sea level. There are 673 metres (2,208 ft) between the two stations and the cars can take an attendant and 30 people up or down the cables. The cars travel between the three towers and the journey takes approximately six minutes at a speed of 5 m/s (16.4 ft/s; 18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph).[5]
During the journey,audio tour guides describe historical background on the sights of Gibraltar.[6][7] At the top is a restaurant, café, toilet facilities, and terraces which offer views across theStrait of Gibraltar to Morocco, theBay of Gibraltar towardsAlgeciras, and up the east coast towardsMarbella.Bus number 2, 3 and 4 stop close by to the base station. Parking is available inGrand Parade next to the base station.[4]
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36°7′58.13″N5°21′07.39″W / 36.1328139°N 5.3520528°W /36.1328139; -5.3520528
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