Ascensor Concepción – Valparaíso’s Oldest Funicular

The port city of Valparaíso sits on the hills rising from the beautiful Pacific Ocean about an hour and a half west of the capital city of Santiago.

Valparaíso’s historic hills offer one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the funiculars known locally as acensores.

These funiculars have helped local residents get up and down the city’s hills for over one hundred years. Unfortunately, the funiculars are a slowly dying breed of transportation. Many of them have fallen into disrepair and are closed to the public.

Ascensor Concepción

The Ascensor Concepción was Valparaíso’s first funicular built in 1883.

From the bottom of the hill, it is easy to miss the entrance to the Concepción funicular. The colorful entrance is tucked between two buildings on a standard-looking street in Valparaíso:

Pay a few hundred pesos and you can ride the acensor to the top of the hill.

As the wooden car rises, it feels like you’ll fall down the hill at any moment. The creaks and rickety ride make you hope that this old funicular will last at least one more ride. Due to the steepness of the hill, it appears that you are going straight up even though the track does rise at a slight angle:

At the top, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the city and port below:

Along with the view from the top of the hill, you’ll also find local artisans and street vendors with their tables or displays showing you their art or other touristy trinkets.

If you are a fan of the show The Amazing Race, you’ll notice familiar surroundings, since one season passed through this very spot.

When you are done exploring and enjoying the sights, head back to the funicular for the ride down the hill.

As fun as the ride up the hill was, the downward journey is even more exhilarating. The descending car seems to pick up speed as it approaches the arrival dock at the bottom of the hill. The people waiting for the next ride appear through the windows below as the car slows and jerks to a stop.

Take a minute to admire the workmanship of the machinery, gears, and cables that power the funicular when you exit the car and station.

Don’t Leave Valparaíso without Riding an Acensor

Valparaíso is famous for these aging acensores. They offer a glimpse into the historical past of the city and help you get a beautiful view of the city. Wherever you are in the city, find the nearest working acensor and go for a ride. It will be a memorable experience that will round out your time in Valparaíso.

Posted July 13th, 2011 in Destinations.